Busoga Kingdom, UN agencies engage schoolchildren in drive to end teenage pregnancy

JINJA - In a bid to address teenage pregnancy in the region, the Busoga Kingdom, in partnership with United Nations agencies, has held a high-level dialogue with some of the teenage mothers and schoolchildren at the kingdom headquarters in Bugembe, Jinja city.

The dialogue, which was attended by delegates from different the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organisation (WHO), among others, aimed at addressing the root causes of teenage pregnancy in the region.

The event also brought together children, teenage mothers and stakeholders for a comprehensive discussion on the challenges affecting young people.

Before the dialogue, the UN delegation, led by UNFPA deputy regional director for east and southern Africa Won Young Hong, was first ushered into the Igenge Palace by the Kingdom's second deputy Premier, Osman Noor Ahmed, before proceeding to the dialogue with the students on September 10, 2025.

Also part of the delegation was Markus Larsson, a programme Specialist, regional sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) team at the Swedish Embassy in Pretoria and Medhin Tsehaiu, the UNAIDS deputy regional director, among others. 

This comes after the Kyabazinga of Busoga, His Majesty William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, was appointed UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador in the fight against teenage pregnancy and school dropouts in the region.

A call to action

During a meeting, Kyabazinga Initiatives executive director and also Kyabazinga affairs minister, Owek Yudaya Babirye, said during her presentation that as part of his efforts, the Kyabazinga launched an initiative dubbed "Abasadha N’empango"—translated as "Men are the Pillars".

She added that the king started by writing a personal letter to all schoolchildren, urging them to engage in open discussions about the causes of teenage pregnancy and school dropout.

Personal stories

Teenage mother Kuruthumu Jannat Namulinda, who is undergoing a one-year tailoring course at Busoga Kingdom’s Skilling Centre, revealed that parental neglect and lack of guidance led to her getting pregnant at a young age. During one such time, she was lured by a boy who promised to provide for her.

“After discovering I was pregnant, I fled to the city out of fear of my parents’ reaction. I eventually returned home seven months into the pregnancy, only to be rejected by my mother. Sadly, I suffered a miscarriage but later conceived again,” Namulinda narrated with tears rolling down her cheeks. 

However, thanks to the Kyabazinga's initiative, Namulinda was enrolled on a tailoring programme and is now on a path to rebuilding her life.

She urged the Kingdom to expand the initiative to other areas so more girls can benefit.

Busoga Kingdom's Kyabazinga Affairs Minister Owek. Yudaya Babirye (left) leading Won Young Hong (3rd left) UNFPA’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Markus Larsson (2nd Left) the Programme Specialist SRHR, Busoga Kingdom's Second deputy Prime Minister Alhaji Osman Noor Ahmed (3rd right) in touring the Kingdom headquarters at Bugembe in Jinja City on September 10th, 2025. (Credit: Donald Kiirya)

Empowering girls

Hong commended the kingdom's leadership and commitment to empowering girls through education and skills development.

"The well-being of a people depends on the quality and dedication of their mothers," she said, adding that when girls receive knowledge, skills, and support, they can become empowered women who build prosperous communities.

However, she also challenged the youth to take personal responsibility instead of waiting for the government or NGOs to help them, saying that they must also play a role in protecting their future.

“It is true you need a lot of support. The government indeed needs to provide a lot of essential services, there's no doubt about it—and trust me, the government is working with all of us. Your king is also trying very hard to provide you with more. But again, I want us to be reminded that let's respect each other. Between the men and women, between the boys and girls, we need to respect each other.

“Everybody has a different need. Everybody has different strengths. If we start laughing at somebody's weaknesses, that's not nice. We need to be able to hold hands with each other and support each other. When my brother and sister are facing a difficulty, do you have courage to go and stand for it? That is what we need to show,” Hong said.

A collaborative effort

The UN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the fight against teenage pregnancy in Busoga region.

Larsson said they need to focus on ending teenage pregnancy, as well as keep the young people, not only the girls, but also the boys in school, for them to be able to really become contributors to the economic and social development of Uganda.

Noor Ahmed expressed gratitude to the UN, the Swedish government, and other implementing partners.

He emphasised that while the dialogues are in their preliminary stages, plans are underway to expand the sensitisation campaign across the Kingdom to ensure the message reaches all stakeholders.

At the climax, the delegates were entertained by Poems, songs and dances by young people under the Busoga Kingdom’s Skilling programme.