The Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu has intensified its campaign against early marriages and teenage pregnancies, which it says are undermining education in the Kingdom. The call was made during the annual Day of the Pen, locally known as Ekiro Kyekalamu, held on August 15 at Rwenzori International Hotel in Kasese Municipality.
The event brought together Kingdom leaders and other stakeholders to discuss ways of improving education and empowering young people in the Rwenzori region.
Dr Monday Julius Rude, the Bukonzo East Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, said teenage pregnancies were among the major factors disrupting education for young people in the Kingdom.
He said an estimated 24 percent of people aged 19 years and below in the Kingdom have failed to complete their education, with teenage pregnancies contributing significantly to the problem. Rude called for concerted efforts to address teenage pregnancies and early marriages to ensure that young people remain in school and complete their education.
Representing the Omusinga, His Majesty Charles Wesley Mumbere, the Prime Minister, Baritazale Kule Benson, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting education and supporting young people to pursue their studies.
Kule said the Kingdom had benefited from 50 annual scholarships provided by the central government, which have helped support students pursuing science-related courses.
He said more than 200 science students had benefited from the scholarships over the past four years. Kasese District LC5 Chairperson Eliphazi Muhindi called for increased investment in higher education infrastructure to expand opportunities for young people in the region.Muhindi said the Kingdom needs more universities and specifically called for the establishment of a public university to provide affordable and accessible tertiary education to young people.
He said expanding access to higher education would complement ongoing efforts to improve education standards and equip young people with skills for employment and self-reliance.
The Kingdom also highlighted creative arts as another avenue for empowering young people and addressing unemployment.The leaders said greater investment in education and alternative skills, alongside efforts to address teenage pregnancies and early marriages, is essential to improving the prospects of young people in the Rwenzori region-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
