Written by Lisa Murimi
Child rights organisations have issued a stark warning over rising teenage pregnancy rates in Uganda’s Adjumani and Buyende districts, describing the situation as a growing crisis that threatens the future of hundreds of schoolgirls.
Findings from SHARE (Supporting Holistic and Actionable Responses for Education), Right to Play, and the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) reveal that both districts have some of the highest adolescent pregnancy figures nationwide, with more than one in four girls aged 13–19 reported pregnant or already mothers.
The reports link the trend to sexual exploitation, early marriage, and limited access to reproductive health education and services.
The organisations attribute the spike in cases to entrenched poverty, harmful cultural practices, and the lingering impact of COVID-19, which kept girls out of school and increased their exposure to exploitation.
“ Laws protecting children from defilement, early marriage, and exploitation must be fully enforced. Budgets for reproductive health education and youth development should be strategic, not symbolic,” FAWE executive director Suzan Opok said in a message read by programmes coordinator Gloria Auma.
Health experts caution that teenage mothers face higher risks of birth complications, including fistula and maternal death, while their children are more likely to experience malnutrition and poor early development.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has pledged to intensify sensitisation campaigns in Adjumani and Buyende and strengthen enforcement of laws against defilement and child marriage.
“ We have developed the second national strategy to end child marriage and teenage pregnancy launched on June 16, 2025.”Tolea Franco, commissioner for youth and children affairs stated.
However, these institutions stress that a broader, multi-sectoral approach—combining education, healthcare, community engagement, and economic empowerment—is essential.
As Uganda works toward meeting its Sustainable Development Goals on adolescent health and gender equality, advocates warn that failure to address the crisis could erode decades of progress in girls’ education and empowerment.
