Otuke, Uganda | A recent report has exposed a worrying reality in Northern Uganda, revealing that about 47% of girls in the region are trapped in early marriage and teenage pregnancy. The report paints a grim picture of the challenges young girls continue to face despite ongoing awareness campaigns.
The findings were released on Monday, November 10, 2025, during a community dialogue held at Otuke Business Centre. The event was organized by Fountain of Life Uganda with support from Child Fund, to mark eight years of the *Girls Not Brides Uganda* campaign. This year’s dialogue was held under the theme, *“The Cost of Inaction in Addressing the Root Causes of Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda.”*
The meeting drew together a wide range of participants including teachers, pupils from Orum and Adwari Primary Schools, district leaders, parents, cultural figures, women’s groups, and civil society organizations. All were united by one concern—saving the future of the girl child from the dangers of early marriage and teenage pregnancy.
According to the discussions, the Lango Sub-region alone contributes about 22% of all early marriage and teenage pregnancy cases in Uganda. Molly Akello Bella, the Coordinator of Fountain of Life Uganda, said this crisis demands urgent collective action. She emphasized that cultural leaders, parents, and policymakers must work together to safeguard girls’ rights and education.
In the neighboring Acholi Sub-region, the situation is equally alarming. Geoffrey Ochan from Vision for Children and Youth Forum revealed that more than 16,000 teenage pregnancies were recorded across Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, Agago, Lamwo, Pader, and Kitgum districts in 2025 alone. He blamed the problem on the lingering effects of war, widespread poverty, and lack of access to reproductive health education.
Ochan further noted that the absence of proper parental guidance, harmful traditions, and economic hardship continue to push young girls into early sexual relationships and forced marriages.
Representing Child Fund, Irene Naiga appealed to parents to offer emotional support to their daughters instead of marrying them off for financial gain. She said empowering girls through education and mentorship can help break the cycle of early marriage and poverty.
In Otuke District, the Senior Community Development Office reported 1,223 cases of teenage pregnancies between January and October 2025. The officer, Moses Adyeny, attributed the situation to poor parental supervision, outdated marriage customs, and uncontrolled attendance at night events.
Education leaders also voiced their concerns. Patrick Ochero, the Senior Education Officer for Otuke, proposed continuous sex education, community involvement, and retention of girls in school as effective preventive measures. The District Education Officer, Lucy Acheng, encouraged senior women teachers to mentor young girls, especially in managing menstrual health, and urged schools to allocate funds for girl-support programs.
The event ended with a united call from all participants for stronger cooperation between parents, schools, local leaders, and community organizations to fight the root causes of early marriage and teenage pregnancy. They agreed that only through joint action can Northern Uganda secure a safer and brighter future for its daughters.