Uganda: Uganda's Teenage Pregnancy Crisis Stagnates At 25%

What the report says

Health experts in Uganda are calling for coordinated national action after fresh discussion of teenage pregnancy rates that have stayed around 24% to 25% for more than two decades, according to The Independent in Kampala, republished by AllAfrica. The issue was raised at a Media Café in Kampala organized by the Health Journalists Network Uganda with Palladium and BBC Media Action.

Officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Gender and Social Development said the problem goes beyond health services and is linked to education, parenting, community norms and access to reproductive health information. Dr Irene Mwenyango said the persistence of the figures shows a national crisis that requires schools, families, communities and government agencies to work together. She also warned about pregnancy-related complications, unsafe abortions and childbirth risks among girls aged 15 to 19.

The report says Uganda has set a goal of reducing teenage pregnancy to 15% by 2030 and has a national strategy to address teenage pregnancy and child marriage. Francis Mondo Kyateeka said the issue contributes to school dropout and can increase vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, while Dr Richard Kabanda urged media outlets to include young people more directly in health programming.

The article also cited regional gaps, with some sub-regions, including parts of eastern Uganda and refugee-hosting areas, reporting much higher rates than the national average, while Kampala and Kigezi were lower. The broader significance is that teenage pregnancy continues to affect girls' education, health and future livelihoods, even as authorities consider policy and service changes.