WESTERN UGANDA: Ntoroko district leaders have expressed concern over the high number of teenage pregnancies, which they say have been escalated by closure of schools over Covid-19.
Ntoroko district chairman William Kasoro said statistics indicate that since the second lockdown in June 2021, 576 children between 15 and 19 years have been impregnated.
He added that 9 girls aged between 12-19 years have also been impregnated, while 43 cases of defilement have also been recorded at police.
“As leaders of Ntoroko we are worried about these high numbers, if schools were open they would be in schools and the intervention as a district is to ensure that all stakeholders work together to end teenage pregnancy,” Mr Kasolo aid.
He made the remarks during World Population Day celebrations on Friday at Karugutu SS held under the theme ‘Covid-19 and Beyond; Spotlight on Uganda’s Adolescent Reproductive Health.”
Statistics show that teenage pregnancy rate in the district stands at 31.3 percent above the national average of 25 percent.
The district Woman MP, Ms Anna Marry Tumwine, warned parents against marrying off young girls.
“Our young girls who get married, their families don’t sustain because they are not ready, which affects their future. My advice to parents is to allow those who have produced to go back to school to study,” she sai