Alarm as Teenage Pregnancies Surge in Kayunga, 3 in 10 Deliveries Involve Girls Below 18

By Denis Mukisa

Bbaale, Kayunga: As the world celebrated International Women’s Day, a disturbing trend took centre stage in Kayunga District: teenage pregnancies now account for nearly one in every five deliveries at Bbaale Health Centre IV, with many cases allegedly involving relatives forcing young girls into sexual relationships.

In the past six months alone, 107 out of 570 mothers who delivered at the facility were below 18 years of age, according to health officials. The revelation sent shockwaves through the Women’s Day event held at the health centre, turning the celebration into a sobering call to action.

National Women’s Council Chairperson Hajjat Faridah Kibowa, who presided over the function, directly addressed the young mothers, offering words of encouragement and hope.

“You should not lose hope,” Kibowa told the teenage mothers. “Life after childbirth can still be meaningful. Go back to school and secure a better future for yourself and your child.”

Health officials expressed deep concern over the rising numbers. Assistant District Health Officer Oliva Busiingye Kakyukusi and Dr Emmanuel Bagoole, in-charge of Bbaale Health Centre IV, revealed that many of the pregnancies were linked to relatives and other adults forcing girls into exploitative sexual relationships; a situation many described as defilement.

The crisis comes amid broader maternal health challenges at the facility, including the lack of an ambulance for emergency referrals. Hajjat Kibowa pledged to advocate with the central government in Kampala to provide an ambulance to help save mothers’ lives

.Beyond the immediate health concerns, Kibowa urged women to reduce dependence on husbands by participating in government empowerment programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga. She also discouraged the use of traditional birth attendants, stressing the need for skilled care at health facilities.

Kayunga District official Naava Fatuma called for stronger family values, urging respect and unity in marriages to prevent breakdowns that often leave young mothers vulnerable.

As the event concluded, Hajjat Kibowa donated mama kits, basins, and soap to over 400 mothers. While appreciative of the support, the women appealed to the government to intensify sensitisation campaigns targeting men to take up their responsibilities at home.

Held under the theme of women’s empowerment and maternal health, the district’s International Women’s Day celebrations highlighted how teenage pregnancies continue to derail the futures of young girls in rural Uganda, despite national efforts to end the practice.

Local leaders say urgent intervention; including stricter law enforcement, better parental guidance, and increased access to sexual reproductive health education – is needed to reverse the worrying trend.