By Weswa Ronnie
MANAFWA
The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development has expressed concern over the increasing number of teenage pregnancies in the country.
This was revealed by Sylvia Pimer, an officer from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development on Friday, 15th August, 2025 while speaking to hundreds of district leaders from Manafwa, Namisindwa, and Bududa during the launch of an Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Program at Manafwa district head office.
The program, organized by Better Hag Uganda, a Non-Governmental Organization, aims to make youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services available to all youths.
Pimer noted that the cases have raised concerns for the government, which requires collective efforts from parents, stakeholders, and the government to address the issue.
The Manafwa District Police Commander, Robert Tashobya, reported that the district had registered 14 cases of gender-based violence, all of which were defilement cases, in the past two months.
He stated that his office and the district community development office have drawn up a program to sensitize teenagers about the dangers of early sex in all schools.
Tashobya also noted that children are often corrupted at burial places where discos are played at night, attracting children who engage in various bad activities.
Geoffrey Timpiti, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Namisindwa, said that his district faces a challenge of primary school dropouts, particularly girls, due to parents’ failure to provide scholastic materials.
Arnold Kituyi Joseph, the Executive Director of Better Hag Uganda, stated that they have started working with three hard-to-reach districts – Manafwa, Namisindwa, and Bududa – in the Bugisu region to combat teenage pregnancy and early marriage.
He emphasized that the country cannot develop with a 24% increase in teenage pregnancies and urged parents to take responsibility for guiding and supporting their children.
