FROM POLICY TO ACTION: UGANDA’S LAWMAKERS UNITE TO ACCELERATE EFFORTS AGAINST TEENAGE PREGNANCY AND CHILD MARRIAGE

A Section of Uganda's Members of Parliament and CSO representatives during the Engagement meeting and media briefing

“This isn’t the first time these issues have reached Parliament. But if our efforts have not yielded sustainable results in the past 20 years, it’s time to ask ourselves what are we doing differently? We need to rethink our strategies.” Lura Lafuete, Gender Program Specialist at @UNFPAUganda.

10th April 2025 marked yet a significant and powerful milestone in the efforts to protect Uganda’s adolescents and young girls against child marriage and teenage pregnancy.  Over 25 Members of Parliament (MPs), championed by the @_UPFCT, with the support of the Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum(UYAHF) under the Power To Youth program and Raising Teenagers Uganda convened a strategic meeting and media briefing under the theme: “Accountability and Accelerated Action to End Teenage Pregnancy and Child Marriage.” to rethink new strategies, reflect on the National strategy to end child marriage and teenage pregnancy, review preceding commitments and reenergize the efforts in addressing the obstacles to addressing the teenage pregnancy and child marriage challenges.  

In 2021, after the break of Covid-19, the parliament of Uganda passed a motion to end teenage pregnancy and child marriage and despite this and many other actions and interventions from both local, government and development partners, Uganda still continues to grapple with persistent cases.

According to the Uganda Bureau Statistics, approximately 25% of Ugandan girls aged 15–19 have begun childbearing, making it one of the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa. Teenage pregnancies contribute significantly to maternal health issues, with 17.2% of maternal deaths occurring among adolescents aged 15 – 19.

According to a 2019 publication by UNICEF, approximately 34% of women aged 20–24 were married before the age of 18. ​ These statistics underscore the urgency for continued legislative reforms, policy implementation, and community-based interventions to protect adolescents and young girls from the adverse effects of teenage pregnancy and child marriage.

This meeting marked a renewed wave of political will, as MPs boldly reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening legislative reforms, prioritizing budget allocations, and ensuring the holistic implementation of policies that protect young people especially girls.

Through the meeting, the legislators acknowledged and expressed deep concern about the alarming rise in teenage pregnancy and child marriage across the country despite previous commitments and ongoing efforts. Hon. Sarah Opendi, Woman MP for Tororo District, called for a coordinated national response rooted in accountability and political commitment.

“We need to protect adolescent girls by holding parents accountable and punishing perpetrators who impregnate and marry teenagers,” Hon. Opendi emphasized. “But this must be supported by multi-sectoral collaboration and a clear commitment from both national and local governments.”

Several MPs passionately advocated for moving beyond policy rhetoric. Hon. Ayebare Margaret, Woman MP for Mbarara District, emphasized the need to effectively enforce Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) policies and monitor budget execution to ensure tangible results.

“SRH policies must not remain on paper,” she said. “We need real budget allocations, real action, and real change at national, district, and community levels.” Hon. Ayebare added.

The engagement also underscored the vital role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in shaping policy through lived experiences, data, and grassroots perspectives. Partners like UNFPA Uganda, UYAHF, and Raising Teenagers Uganda presented valuable insights that MPs acknowledged as key to informed policymaking.

Laura Lafuente, Gender Program Specialist at @UNFPAUganda, challenged all stakeholders to reflect on past efforts and rethink strategies moving forward.

“This isn’t the first time these issues have reached Parliament,” she noted. “But if our efforts have not yielded sustainable results in the past 20 years, it’s time to ask ourselves what are we doing differently? We need to rethink our strategies.”

Hon. Bhoka George Didi, MP for Obongi County, emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement and localized action. He stressed the need to translate national strategies into local languages and empower community leaders to become champions of the cause.

“Our people must understand and own these interventions,” he said. “That’s how we build sustainable accountability.”

MPs pledged to launch awareness campaigns, work with schools and health facilities, and involve local leaders to tackle the root causes of teenage pregnancy and child marriage in their constituencies.

They also called for the establishment of robust accountability frameworks to track progress, promote transparency, and sustain momentum in implementing the National Strategy to End Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy.

This meeting was more than just a dialogue, it was a renewed promise from Uganda’s lawmakers to champion the rights of adolescents and young girls. With stronger partnerships, better funding, and community-level engagement, we are one step closer to ending child marriage and teenage pregnancy in Uganda for good.

Author: Haruna Musa, Communication Manager at Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum (hmusa@uyahf.com)