By KT Reporter
The Microfinance Support Center (MSC) has partnered with the Busoga Kingdom to equip teenage mothers and fathers with hands-on skills aimed at enabling them to lead sustainable lives. The partnership was announced during MSC’s engagement with the Kyabazinga of Busoga, HRH Gabula Nadiope IV, at his palace in Bugembe, Jinja City.
This initiative seeks to empower teenagers to thrive in the money economy despite facing the challenges of early parenthood. In a statement, MSC’s Head of Business Development, Gidson Ainamani, said the program will annually train teenage parents in highly marketable skills that enable them to support their young families.
“These skills, if properly applied, can transform the beneficiaries into job creators, earning a decent income while employing others to live sustainably,” Ainamani said. He added that the program will prioritize metal fabrication, building, motor vehicle mechanics, bakery, hairdressing, and phone repair, as these have proven to be highly marketable.
Ainamani revealed that the initiative will commence early next year with an initial enrollment of 350 teenage parents. Participants will receive intensive training in their chosen areas, supplemented with entrepreneurship skills to help them establish startups and successfully integrate into the money economy. The trainees will also be incorporated into existing Emyoga SACCOs across the Busoga sub-region, giving them access to seed capital to launch their own business enterprises. The Kyabazinga welcomed the initiative, noting that it aligns with ongoing programs aimed at skilling teenage mothers and fathers across the Busoga sub-region.
Busoga is among the sub-regions with the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Uganda, creating a trend of young parents struggling to sustain themselves and their children. In response, UN agencies recently appointed the Kyabazinga as a goodwill ambassador to champion initiatives aimed at eliminating teenage pregnancies.
Currently, the Kyabazinga is running an initiative codenamed “Abasadha nhe’mpango,” literally translated as “Men are the Pillars,” which promotes responsible fatherhood. Through this initiative, young fathers are encouraged to fully provide for their families, helping reduce the economic pressures that often push girls into early sexual activity to meet basic needs like food and sanitary products.
To further address teenage pregnancy challenges, the Kyabazinga established a skilling center at the Busoga Kingdom headquarters, offering short courses in ICT, hairdressing, tailoring, and backyard farming for young parents. The Kyabazinga emphasized that MSC’s initiative will supplement ongoing efforts to improve the livelihoods of teenage mothers and fathers in the sub-region.
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