Outline:
Engaging Youth in the Fight Against Teenage Pregnancy
The Busoga Kingdom, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), organized a significant dialogue involving school-going children to explore the underlying causes of teenage pregnancy in the region. This event was held at the Kingdom headquarters in Bugembe, Jinja City, and aimed to create a platform for meaningful conversations between young people and key stakeholders.
The UNFPA delegation was led by Young Hong, the Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. Upon arrival, the team was welcomed at the Igenge Palace by the Kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister, Osman Noor Ahmed. Following this, they engaged in discussions with students, focusing on critical issues affecting youth in the area.
Markus Larsson, an advisor to Sweden’s Regional Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) team at the Swedish Embassy in Pretoria, also participated in the dialogue. The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Busoga Kingdom to involve young people in addressing challenges that impact their lives.
This effort follows the appointment of the Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Majesty William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. His role is focused on combating teenage pregnancy and school dropouts in the region. As part of his commitment, the Kyabazinga launched an initiative called “Abasadha N’empango,” which translates to “Men are the Pillars.” He began by writing a personal letter to all school-going children, encouraging them to engage in open discussions about the causes of teenage pregnancy and school dropout.
During the dialogue, participants included children, teenage mothers, and various stakeholders. One of the speakers was Kuruthumu Namulinda Jannat, a teenage mother who shared her personal experience. She revealed that her parents often left her home alone due to long-distance business trips. During one such time, she was lured by a boy who promised to provide for her. After discovering she was pregnant, she fled to the city out of fear of her parents’ reaction. She eventually returned home seven months into the pregnancy, only to be rejected by her mother. Tragically, she suffered a miscarriage but later conceived again.
Thanks to the Kyabazinga’s initiative, Namulinda was enrolled in a tailoring program and is now working towards rebuilding her life. She urged the Kingdom to expand the initiative to other areas so more girls can benefit from similar opportunities.
Other students highlighted several factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in their communities, including parental neglect, poverty, conservative attitudes towards teenage pregnancy, and a lack of sexual education. These insights underscored the need for comprehensive strategies to address these challenges.
Young Hong commended the Kingdom’s leadership and commitment to empowering girls through education and skills development. She emphasized that the wellbeing of a community depends on the quality and dedication of its mothers. When girls receive knowledge, skills, and support, they can become empowered women who build prosperous communities.
However, she also encouraged the youth to take personal responsibility. “Don’t wait for government or NGOs to help you. You must also play a role in protecting your future,” she urged.
The UN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the fight against teenage pregnancy in Busoga. Deputy Prime Minister Osman Noor Ahmed expressed gratitude to the UN, the Swedish government, and other implementing partners. He highlighted that while the dialogues are still in their preliminary stages, plans are underway to expand the sensitisation campaign across the Kingdom to ensure the message reaches all stakeholders.