About 649,955 Teenage pregnancies and defilement cases recorded in 2020 1nd 2021.
By Jimmy Muhumuza,
Kampala.
Government has acknowledged recording the high prevalence of teenage pregnancies and defilement cases, revealing that 649,955 teenage pregnancies were recorded between 2020 and 2021 in Uganda.
This was revealed by Vice President Jesica Alupo, a statement on the national campaign against defilement, early marriages and failed parenthood that is slated to be launched by Government at Kololo Independence Grounds on Friday.
The Vice President said that since March 2020 statistics show increased cases of defilement and teenage pregnancies in our country and cited a study conducted by United Nations Population Fund.
In a Study to parliament found that a total of 354,736 teenage pregnancies were registered in 2020, while 295,219 teenage pregnancies were registered between January to September 2021. This implies that on average, over 32,000 teenage pregnancies are recorded per month.”
Among the districts with highest cases of teenage pregnancies included; Kamuli 6,535 Mayuge 6,205, Mukono 5,535 Wakiso 10,439 Rakai 2,711 Luwero 4,545 Kampala 8,460.
The others include; Oyam 6,449 Lira 4,697, Arua 4,705 Yumbe 3,973 Kasese 7,319 Kyenjojo 4,341, Rakai 2711, Luwero 4545 and Kampala 8460.
Alupo described the figures as worrying which is the reason why Cabinet agreed on a year long campaign to sensitise the public on dangers of defilement, teenage pregnancies among others.
Bukholi central mp Solomon Silwany called on Parliament to consider including in its annual calendar activities to mark the global 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence in their planning calendar.
Kazo County mp Dan Atwijukire Kimosho decried the high cases of teenage pregnancies in Kazo district where girls are being given away for marriage and the vice is likely to
Kamwenge district woman mp Sylivia Bahireira Tumwekwase blamed without evidence that the high HIV/AIDs on the poor dress code claiming that people living in predominantly Muslim countries, there is empirical data showing that their HIV prevalence is low in Arab countries.
She was backed by Deputy Speaker Anita Among who warned girls against wearing short clothes, saying the men are dangerous.
She said that the morals should not be broken ,questioning would girls be putting on a miniskirt which is enticing men,whom she described as dangerous.
