Health authorities and community groups in Mityana District have shown significant worry about the rising number of young females becoming pregnant before reaching 18 years old.
Experts claim the trend is driven by insufficient knowledge about sexual and reproductive health among youth, along with a reluctance to access professional medical services at health centers.
At Malangala Health Center III, we encountered "Nakiwala" (not her real name), a 17-year-old girl who is six months pregnant. Due to her young age, we are unable to reveal her identity. She appeared visibly frail and reserved, sharing her story of how she came to be in this position.
Nakiwala left school in P.7 after being unable to pay the fees required for secondary education, and instead chose to enroll in a fully registered institution for hairdressing training.
Eager to keep pursuing her education, she was enticed by a young man, whom we will refer to as Mugema, who claimed to assist her. However, she ended up becoming pregnant.
"I began living with him while pursuing my course, but just two months later I became pregnant," Nakiwala explained.
After realizing she was pregnant, the circumstances turned against her. "When I told my parents that I'm pregnant, my mother told me not to come back home yet, and even the boy who was supposed to support me left me. I have no place to go," she said quietly, cradling her enlarged stomach.
Her experience is not uncommon. As stated by Rebecca Nabatanzi, a health professional overseeing adolescent services at Malangala Health Center III, teenage pregnancies are documented almost every day.
"Each day, we get at least five young women who arrive already expecting a baby. A lot of them are below 18, and most have limited understanding of sexual health and the risks associated with it," Nabatanzi mentioned.
The conditions are especially critical in the sub-counties of Butayunja, Banda, Malangala, and Namungo, which have been recognized as areas with high rates of teenage pregnancies.
Dr. Vincent Kawooya, the Health Officer for Mityana District, stated that the data is concerning. "Of every 100 girls we evaluate each month, approximately 22 are already pregnant before reaching 18. This represents a serious public health issue that requires immediate action," emphasized Dr. Kawooya.
He mentioned that society frequently holds girls responsible while overlooking the accountability of boys and men who father children with them. "Most efforts concentrate on the girl child, but boys often escape responsibility. This pattern needs to end if we are to tackle the issue properly," he added.
In an effort to address the increasing cases, Sarah Kintu from the CEO Action for Health Uganda, along with civil society groups part of Team Up Uganda, has established youth-oriented corners throughout the district, allowing teenagers to obtain advice, support, and reproductive health information without the worry of being judged.
"Our objective is to establish secure environments where teenagers feel comfortable reaching out for assistance without the worry of facing criticism. Via these youth-oriented areas, they can obtain the information and guidance necessary to make well-informed choices," Sarah Kintu mentioned.
Community leaders and non-profit groups are now calling for increased cooperation with educational institutions, religious organizations, and families to equip youth with information and shield them from abuse.
As per medical professionals, tackling teenage pregnancies can also lower maternal mortality rates, as young mothers face greater chances of experiencing issues during delivery.
With Uganda gearing up for the 2026 elections, individuals in Mityana emphasize that teenage pregnancy must continue to be a central policy concern, cautioning that inaction at this stage may jeopardize the district's next generation.
Copyright 2025 Nile Post. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (MountainTravel)
Tagged: Uganda, Children and Youth, Pregnancy and Childbirth, East Africa, Health and Medicine
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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