Bushenyi district has registered 330 pregnant teenagers in their health facilities in 3 months, these include residents of Kamuhanga sub-county, some areas of Kakanju, Ruhumuro and Engaju. Teenagers mainly between the age of 15-17 are most affected.

These numbers are said to have increased slightly from 319 cases recorded in Oct-Dec, 2022 to the most recent numbers. Reports show that mostly girls from humble families are lured due to parents’ failure to provide basic needs.

Dr. Edward Mwesigye, the District Health Officer reports to say that, “Men who are supposed to be heads of families have left their responsibilities to women who at the end of the day are over burdened and cant provide all that is required”.

“With their little education and knowledge about reproductive Health, girls end up getting pregnant by irresponsible men who cant take care of them and the trend continues”. he added.

The District Probation Officer, Mr. Aggrey Kakembo Ssekandi  said most of these cases are charged as defilement which attracts lenient sentences.

Parents would rather called money from the perpetrators and keep quiet or accept the boys’ parents taking responsibility than pursue court cases that will take years before they can get justice for their daughters”. he said.

Last September, the Mbarara high court circuit held a special session on sexual and gender based violence for greater Bushenyi- 48 of the 61 cases handled were for aggravated defilement.

courtesy photo.