Yumbe Muslims rallied to reject early marriages
Sheikh Achiga revealed that over 5,000 girls under the age of 19 had become pregnant since January 2024, according to reports from the district health department.
Muslims attending Eid al-Fitr prayers at Lukutua Primary School playgrounds. (Photos by Adam Gule)
Adam Gule
Journalist @New Vision
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The district khadi of Yumbe, Sheikh Swaib Allahi Achiga, has urged the Muslim community to support efforts to combat teenage pregnancy and early marriage, calling it a pressing challenge in the district.
Speaking during Eid al-Fitr prayers at Lukutua Primary School playgrounds, Sheikh Achiga revealed that over 5,000 girls under the age of 19 had become pregnant since January 2024, according to reports from the district health department.
He expressed concern that in Yumbe, a predominantly Muslim district, many girls were being married off before reaching the recommended age.
He also warned imams against officiating such a marriage.
"We should say no to teenage pregnancy and early marriage. It's a shame for us because we are a predominantly Muslim population. Worst of it all is, we the religious leaders are presiding over such unwanted marriages," he said.
The call was echoed by Abdulmutalib Asiku, the Yumbe district LC5 chairperson, who also attended prayers at Lukutua.
He highlighted that over 70% of school-age children drop out before completing primary seven, with girls making up the largest share of dropouts.
"In all our primary schools, we register over 400 learners in primary one, but by the time they reach primary seven, fewer than 100 sit for the exams, and very few girls among them," he said.
He described the situation as a disaster for families and communities, warning that an uneducated population poses a security risk to society.
Asiku urged parents to prioritise education and support their children to complete their studies and attain professional qualifications.
Fight poverty with PDM
Meanwhile, Hajji Juma Gala, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) chairperson for Yumbe, called on Muslims to embrace the government's Parish Development Model (PDM) as a means to escape poverty.
Speaking at Eid al-Fitr prayers at Ssese playgrounds in Yumbe town, Gala assured worshippers that PDM is a halal (pure) programme, despite its small loan component and interest element.
"We are crying of poverty, yet the government has brought us PDM. We should register to get the money and plan it maximally to come out of poverty," he said.
Hajji Juma Gala, the chairperson for Uganda Muslim Supreme Council in Yumbe addressing the Muslims during the Eid el-fitr prayers at Ssese playgrounds in Yumbe district.
He noted that over sh40 billion had been disbursed to 41,000 beneficiaries in Yumbe since the programme's inception, but its impact was not yet visible.
He attributed this to mismanagement of funds and urged recipients to use the money wisely.
Gala advised beneficiaries to allocate at least sh300,000 to cultivate three hectares, sh300,000 for re-digging, and sh100,000 for seeds. The remaining sh300,000, he said, should be split between weeding and family sustenance.
"Over sh40 billion is already disbursed to the beneficiaries in the district, but no impact is seen. I call on us to embrace the programme and plan the usage of the funds well," he said.