The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kibuku district has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies and school drop outs among girls in the country, a new report has revealed.
The findings are contained in a report by both Bukedi Action for Integrated Development Initiatives – International (BAfIDI), a local non-governmental organization that aims to ending teenage pregnancy, domestic and gender based violence in the region and district health department.
The report which indicated that teenage pregnancy in Kibuku district stands at 37 percent also pointed out that girls between the age of 15 and 19 have been the most affected. The figure is higher than the national average which is at 25 percent.
Abel Wilson Walekhwa, the Director BAfIDI said the survey was conducted last year to find out how Kibuku district was doing in terms of teenage mothers in the country.
He blamed the increasing school dropouts on poverty where many parents fail to provide scholastic materials, early marriages, peer influence, lack of role models among other things as the main cause of teenage pregnancy.
The Kibuku RDC, Juliet Najjuma told journalists that teenage pregnancy is a leading cause of school dropouts in the district. She said Kibuku has surpassed other districts such as Mayuge, Butaleja that had previously reported the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the country.
According to the RDC, the recent teenage pregnancy rate puts Kibuku district with the highest rate in the country which is worrying. She mainly blamed parents for failing to provide the necessities such as sanitary pads and clothing to the girls.
Dr Rashid Simuya, the In-Charge Kibuku Health Centre IV said every 10 expectant mothers who go for antenatal care at the facility, atleast six of them are teenagers.
He attributed the increasing cases of teenage pregnancy on parent’s failure to talk to their daughters about the dangers of getting pregnant at a tender age.
*****
URN
