Kabale records 2,787 teenage pregnancies in 2025, trend persists in 2026

What the report says

Kabale District in southwestern Uganda has reported 2,787 teenage pregnancy cases across 2025 and the period from January to September 2026, according to district probation and welfare officer Monica Muhumuza Nzeirwe, as reported by The Independent Uganda. The figures include girls aged 15 to 19, with a small number of cases involving those aged 13 to 15. The district’s total is higher than an earlier period cited in the article, indicating that the problem remains persistent.

Muhumuza said the trend is driving school dropouts, child abandonment and health risks for young mothers, including difficult deliveries. She also warned that the numbers could continue rising toward the end of 2026 and into early 2027. The article said she linked the problem to weak parental guidance and to some girls being drawn into relationships by men who offer money, phones or other gifts. She called for stronger enforcement of laws against sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.

The report also highlighted a case from Kitumba Sub-county involving a young woman with a mental impairment who was allegedly defiled and later gave birth in 2026. Her mother said the family has struggled to care for both the child and the baby, underscoring the wider social and economic strain described in the district. Kabale District Health Educator Alfred Besigensi said teenage pregnancy remains a major public health concern and urged more community sensitisation and counselling for affected girls.

More broadly, teenage pregnancy is a longstanding challenge in parts of Uganda, often tied to poverty, school interruptions and gaps in sexual and reproductive health education.