UNICEF and Busoga Kingdom have formalised a partnership to improve the welfare of children in the Busoga sub-region, with a major focus on reducing teenage pregnancies, child marriages and school dropout among girls. The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two institutions to guide their joint efforts to promote child rights and support learners in remaining in school at least until age 18.
The two institutions have identified teenage pregnancies as one of the major challenges affecting girls in the region. Teenage pregnancy in Busoga is estimated at between 28 and 30 per cent, higher than the national rate of 24 per cent. Under the partnership, UNICEF and Busoga Kingdom will engage children, particularly girls, on the dangers of teenage pregnancy and promote education as a pathway to securing their future.
The partnership will also support efforts to end child marriages, which leaders say are often linked to teenage pregnancies. The campaign will build on the existing “Abasadha n’Empango” initiative, which translates to “Men are the pillars” in the fight against child marriage and teenage pregnancies. The initiative was launched by the Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV, and has been running for about a year.
Thousands of men across Busoga’s 11 chiefdoms have reportedly signed commitments to protect girls from child marriage and teenage pregnancies. About 3,000 volunteers from villages across the sub-region have also joined the initiative. The campaign encourages men to desist from cross-generational sexual relationships and urges fathers to provide basic needs for their families, including food and sanitary pads.
Leaders say inadequate provision of basic needs can expose vulnerable girls to men who offer such necessities in exchange for sexual relationships. Under the MOU, UNICEF will provide strategic leadership, technical support, and capacity building to strengthen efforts to reduce teenage pregnancies and early marriages. UNICEF has also provided logistical support, including a Land Cruiser, five motorcycles, computers and branded materials to facilitate community mobilisation and amplify messages against teenage pregnancy and child marriage.
The partnership will further strengthen water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services for children across Busoga. The initiative seeks to improve access to clean and safe water in schools and communities, with leaders saying better WASH services are essential to children’s health, wellbeing and ability to remain in school. The MOU was signed by UNICEF Country Director Robin Nandy and Busoga Kingdom’s Second Deputy Premier Osman Noor, witnessed by the Kyabazinga.
Nandy said investing in children was an investment in the future, adding that protecting their safety, health and education requires concerted efforts by institutions and communities. Yudaya Babirye, Minister of Kyabazinga Affairs, said the partnership demonstrates how voluntary collaboration between institutions can strengthen efforts to protect children’s rights and improve their wellbeing.
The Kyabazinga said the partnership with UNICEF demonstrates the potential of coordinated action to transform the lives of children, particularly those vulnerable to rights violations, child marriage and teenage pregnancy. He emphasised the importance of fathers providing responsible leadership within families, saying stronger parental involvement would contribute significantly to the protection and wellbeing of children across Busoga-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
