news 25 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Grapples with Persistent Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy
Despite years of interventions, child marriage and teenage pregnancy remain significant issues in Uganda, with poverty, lack of parental supervision, and poorly coordinated efforts contributing to the problem. UNICEF data reveals millions of girls affected by early marriage and childbearing. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/why-child-marriage-teenage-pregnancy-persists-in-uganda-5609412
Child marriage and teenage pregnancies continue to be a critical challenge in Uganda, affecting millions of girls and women. UNICEF’s 2024 Uganda Country Profile indicates that a staggering 5.5 million Ugandan girls and women were married before the age of 18, with approximately 1.6 million married before 15. Furthermore, the 2024 National Population and Housing Census reported that 6.5 percent of girls aged 10-19 had begun childbearing, encompassing both those who had given birth and those who were pregnant.
Stakeholders point to several interconnected factors fueling these persistent issues. Poverty often compels families to marry off their daughters for financial security or to reduce household burdens. A lack of adequate parental supervision, exacerbated by parents working long hours away from home, leaves children vulnerable to early sexual activity and exploitation.
The digital age also presents new challenges, with social media and online platforms exposing young people to inappropriate content and disinformation, potentially influencing their behavior and decision-making. This digital influence is seen as counteracting efforts by development practitioners to curb these practices.
Experts also highlight the need for more effective and realistic intervention strategies. Organizations must be genuine about their reach and focus their efforts for greater impact, rather than claiming broad coverage that is not matched by on-the-ground implementation. Sustained community-level action, improved coordination among various implementing agencies, and genuine parental involvement are crucial for progress.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development emphasizes the urgent need to adapt current approaches if they are not yielding the desired results. The ultimate goal is to ensure that children can experience their childhoods free from the burdens of early marriage and unintended pregnancies.