Education and community leaders have raised concern over the persistent cases of child marriage and teenage pregnancy in Uganda, warning that the country continues to pay a heavy price for failing to address the root causes of the crisis.
They noted that despite several interventions, several girls in rural areas still drop out of school due to stigma, poverty, and lack of support systems, leaving them vulnerable to early marriage and limited opportunities in life.
The concerns were raised during the Girls Not Brides Uganda (GNBU) Central Region Girl Summit held at Central Girls Vocational School in Masunkwe village, Zirobwe, Luweero District last week.
The Luweero District Probation Officer, Ms Martha Botono, said although progress has been made, teenage pregnancy rates remain unacceptably high.
‘Efforts have been made to address the barriers girls face, but the rates of teenage pregnancy are still high. We need collective action to change this narrative,’ she said.
Ms Botono also urged parents to take a more active role in raising their children.
‘Parents and guardians must embrace parenting and be involved in their children’s wellbeing right from childhood until they are grown,’ she added.
A panel of young people representing Anthill Foundation Uganda, Concern for the Girl Child, The Remnant Generation, and CDI Luweero called for the establishment of community support structures to help girls affected by child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
Ms Elizabeth Kalemera, the team lead at Central Girls Vocational School, said: ‘There is a huge cost for inaction that harms the economy and society at large. When a girl drops out of school, the community loses a potential leader, worker, and mother who could have contributed meaningfully to development.’
Girls and young women who spoke during the summit also called for greater access to second-chance education and better support for re-entry programmes. They urged education institutions and communities to create inclusive and gender-responsive learning environments that allow young mothers to study without discrimination.
The guest of honour from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Mr Elijah Katende, praised the Central Girls Vocational School for its model of skilling and reintegrating young mothers through vocational training, childcare support, and personal development classes ‘We must all work together to expand education opportunities for girls and young women across the nation…Men, too, should take responsibility in protecting girls and keeping them safe,” he said.
At the close of the summit, over 450 stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to work together to promote re-entry, gender equity, and improved education opportunities for girls and young women in Uganda. They agreed that giving girls a second chance through education is a powerful way to fight poverty and advance national development.
About the summit
The Girls Not Brides Uganda Central Region Girl Summit was hosted by the Anthill Foundation Uganda and organised by Touch the Heart Uganda, a member of Girls Not Brides Uganda, in partnership with several other organisations.
It attracted participants from schools, government institutions, and civil society groups including CEDOVIP, CRVPF, Trailblazers Mentoring Foundation, Raising Teenagers Uganda, High Sound for Children, Rhythm of Life, Just Like My Child, Concern for the Girl Child, and Rotary Club of Kasangati.