In Karamoja Sub-region, one of Uganda’s most vulnerable sub-regions, early motherhood continues to rob girls of education, health, and economic opportunity. Child marriage and teenage pregnancy remain widespread, driven by poverty, harmful cultural practices, and weak social protection systems.
According to community leaders and civil society actors, teenage pregnancy in Karamoja is not only common but deeply damaging. Girls as young as 13 are forced into motherhood, often dropping out of school permanently. Many face health complications, domestic violence, and lifelong poverty.
Mr Mark Limo Pkiror, the Probation and Welfare officer of Amudat district, said that school dropout, food insecurity, and long distances to health facilities also expose girls to exploitation and early pregnancy.
‘This problem destroys futures. Once a girl becomes a mother, education stops, and poverty becomes inherited,’ said Mr Limo.
Ms Stella Chemukai, a health worker, noted that young mothers are at higher risk of childbirth complications, while their children face malnutrition and poor access to healthcare.
‘Families struggling to survive often marry off daughters early in exchange for bride price. Harmful cultural norms that value early marriage, coupled with low access to sexual and reproductive health information, further worsen the situation,’ Ms Chemukai said.
Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with 75 percent aged below 30 years and its young population face challenges such as teenage pregnancies.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a total of 354,736 teenage pregnancies were registered in 2020, and 196,499 in the first six months of 2021.
The District Police Commander (DPC) of Amudat, SP Julius Baganzi, said there is a need for joint efforts to fight the harmful practices among women and girls in the region.
Ms Susan Alupo, the Community Development Officer (CDO) for Moruita Sub-county in Nakapiripirit District, noted that many of the girls had missed out on schooling due to insecurity and the challenges of living in mountainous areas.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2018 almost a quarter (one in four or 25 percent) of Uganda women have given birth by the age of 18,with about two in 10 (18.9 percent) pregnancies in all women attending first antenatal care being almost teenage in 2021.
Action Aid International Uganda, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has rolled out start-up support initiatives targeting vulnerable child mothers, women, and girls in the Karamoja sub-region. The programme provides start-up capital, hand on skills, and livelihood opportunities aimed at restoring dignity and building long-term self-reliance.
The beneficiaries received items including maize and millet produce, beads, fabric for making shirts, plastic chairs, charcoal stoves, clothes, blankets, and seed funding tailored to each group’s enterprise to start different enterprises such as restaurants, produce businesses, boutiques, catering services, among others.
They received skills training and guidance on group dynamics, and were supported to identify priority activities in hotspot sub-counties across Nakapiripirit, Amudat, and Moroto districts.
Ms. Rebecca Katul, leader of the Apapai Group in Nakapiripirit District, described the support as life-changing, saying it has restored hope and dignity and given them a chance to provide for their families.
‘Many of us had previously struggled to meet basic needs and depended heavily on relatives or well-wishers for survival. This support has given us confidence. We now have skills and the items we need to start working and earn money to take care of our children, ‘said Ms Katul.
She noted that the items provided, such as fabric and beads, will enable the group to establish a shop, generate income, and improve their livelihoods.
Ms. Dorcas Chebet, a member of the Pamoja Saving Group in Losidok, Amudat District, said the intervention would improve food security at household level while also generating income.
‘We can grow food for home use and sell the surplus. This will help us reduce hunger and pay school requirements for our children. The economic empowerment of child mothers plays a key role in reducing poverty, child neglect, and dependence on negative coping mechanisms,’said Ms Chebet.
She added that, ‘When young mothers are empowered economically, the whole community benefits. They are able to raise healthier children and participate meaningfully in community development.’
Ms. Susan Ikwakol, the Psychosocial Support Officer for Action Aid Uganda in Amudat District, explained that the programme aims to foster long-term social change by creating a future where women and girls live free from violence and harmful norms, adolescent girls are protected, and survivors are able to rebuild their lives with dignity.
The beneficiary groups include: Losidok Adolescents Group, Pamoja Group in Nakapiripirit Town Council, Moruita Group in Nakapiripirit, United Women Group in Lotisan Sub-county, Amudat District, Naduget United Women’s Group in Naduget Town Council, Moroto District, and Niyetu Adolescents Group in Loroo Subcounty, Moroto District.
The officials said that in September last year, the women were taken through economic empowerment training, which included business planning, after which the groups selected different enterprises to pursue.
The authorities said that by equipping beneficiaries with the tools to build independent futures, the initiative seeks to combat harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early marriage, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
In 2024, a total of 14,073 cases of Domestic Violence were reported to the Police, compared to 14,681 cases in 2023, reflecting a 4% decrease in the volume of cases registered nationwide. Mt. Moroto, which covers the Karamoja region, recorded 534 cases of Domestic Violence.
Additionally, Mt. Moroto registered nine cases of Murder resulting from Domestic Violence in 2024.
In 2024, the Police recorded 8,240 cases of Defilement, compared to 8,925 cases in 2023.
While NGOs play a critical role, Mr John Longirot, the LC3 Chairperson of Losidok Sub-County in Amudat district agrees that long-term solutions must go beyond donor-funded projects.
‘By providing start-up capital, skills training, and mentorship, the programme enables young mothers to start small businesses, support their children, and regain control over their lives. When a young mother earns an income, she gains confidence and decision-making power. This reduces dependency, vulnerability to abuse, and the likelihood of repeating the cycle with the next generation,’ said Mr Longirot.
Ms. Ikwakol added, ‘ActionAid also donated two motorcycles to surveillance teams in Amudat District to support awareness creation, emergency response, and referrals related to FGM and other forms of abuse.’
Uganda enacted the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2010, which criminalizes all forms of FGM, including performing, attempting, procuring, or participating in the practice. The law applies irrespective of consent, cultural traditions, or religious justifications.
However, the leaders say despite its existence, implementation remains weak.