Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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Kamuli, Uganda — The rising number of teenage pregnancies in Kamuli District has raised concern among educationists and local government authorities, with officials warning of the impact on girls’ education and calling for stronger interventions.
Kamuli District Principal Education Officer Aaron Gwolaba revealed the figures while addressing headteachers at Kamuli Township Primary School on Tuesday.
According to Gwolaba, Kagumba Seed School recorded 23 teenage pregnancies, Nabwigulu Seed School 21, and Buzaaya Primary School 30 during Term Two.
He said Kitayunjwa Seed School had not yet been assessed but was also considered at risk.
Gwolaba said the government plans to introduce mandatory pregnancy testing in all government-funded primary and secondary schools at the beginning and end of every term.
Kamuli District Principal Education Officer Aaron Gwolaba revealed the figures while addressing headteachers at Kamuli Township Primary School on Tuesday.
According to Gwolaba, Kagumba Seed School recorded 23 teenage pregnancies, Nabwigulu Seed School 21, and Buzaaya Primary School 30 during Term Two.
He said Kitayunjwa Seed School had not yet been assessed but was also considered at risk.
Gwolaba said the government plans to introduce mandatory pregnancy testing in all government-funded primary and secondary schools at the beginning and end of every term.
He urged headteachers to work closely with Ministry of Education officials to obtain accurate statistics and ensure affected learners receive the necessary support.
A secondary school teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, partly attributed the problem to some school authorities, alleging that some teachers engage in romantic relationships with learners and impregnate them.
The teacher called for stronger counselling and guidance programmes in schools, saying they could help address challenges affecting relationships between teachers and learners.
Meanwhile, Kamuli Deputy Resident District Commissioner Adonia Mafumo Wansadha expressed concern over the rising teenage pregnancies and called for a stronger campaign against the practice.
Mafumo said local authorities would work with community leaders and police to take action against parents who repeatedly fail to enrol their children in Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programmes.
A secondary school teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, partly attributed the problem to some school authorities, alleging that some teachers engage in romantic relationships with learners and impregnate them.
The teacher called for stronger counselling and guidance programmes in schools, saying they could help address challenges affecting relationships between teachers and learners.
Meanwhile, Kamuli Deputy Resident District Commissioner Adonia Mafumo Wansadha expressed concern over the rising teenage pregnancies and called for a stronger campaign against the practice.
Mafumo said local authorities would work with community leaders and police to take action against parents who repeatedly fail to enrol their children in Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programmes.
He also said authorities were putting measures in place to stop parents and other individuals from arranging marriages for girls who become pregnant.
According to Mafumo, patrol teams will be deployed to monitor suspected early marriage ceremonies, with those found facilitating such marriages facing arrest.
The authorities' concerns come amid calls for stronger protection of girls, improved school-based counselling and closer cooperation between schools, parents, local leaders and law enforcement agencies to prevent teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
Daily Monitor UG
According to Mafumo, patrol teams will be deployed to monitor suspected early marriage ceremonies, with those found facilitating such marriages facing arrest.
The authorities' concerns come amid calls for stronger protection of girls, improved school-based counselling and closer cooperation between schools, parents, local leaders and law enforcement agencies to prevent teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
Daily Monitor UG
