At their September 8, 2025 meeting, the Rotary Club of Kampala North hosted Joyce Mukonyezi, Executive Director of Wakisa Ministries, who addressed the alarming rise in teenage pregnancy in Uganda.
Uganda has one of the highest rates in Sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 30% of girls becoming mothers before 19. During the COVID-19 lockdowns alone, over 290,000 pregnancies were recorded.
Mukonyezi attributed this crisis to poverty, school dropouts, lack of reproductive health education, gender inequality, harmful cultural practices, and poor parenting. She shared stories of young girls rescued by Wakisa Ministries, who now receive shelter, counseling, skills training, and spiritual support.
Rotarians were called to action through education sponsorships, funding reproductive health workshops, supporting shelter programs, and policy advocacy.
“Teenage pregnancy is not just a health issue—it is a human rights and development issue,” Mukonyezi concluded. “Together, we can turn pain into purpose and restore hope for Uganda’s daughters.”