Busoga Region Sees Alarming Rise in Pregnancies Among Girls Under 15

The Busoga region is grappling with a concerning number of pregnancies among very young girls, with 419 cases recorded for those under 15 years old during the 2025/2026 financial year. These figures, presented in the Busoga Joint Health Sector Performance Review, indicate a significant health challenge within the community.

The data, released by Simon Atria, a biostatistician at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, also shows that teenagers constitute a substantial portion of expectant mothers seeking antenatal care. Across the region, one in every five women attending their first antenatal visit was a teenager. Namayingo district stood out, with 25 percent of first-time antenatal care attendees being adolescents.

These statistics align with broader evidence suggesting that Busoga faces a higher rate of teenage pregnancies compared to the national average. The implications of such early pregnancies are far-reaching, impacting the health and educational outcomes of young girls and placing a strain on healthcare resources. The trend underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the root causes and consequences of adolescent pregnancies in the region.

This alarming trend necessitates a comprehensive approach involving education, healthcare access, and community support to protect the well-being and future prospects of young girls in Busoga. Further details on this report can be found at Daily Monitor (Uganda).