Dokolo/Kampala | Adeknino Sub-county has emerged as the worst-hit area in Dokolo District’s fight against teenage pregnancy, recording a spike of up to 40%, far above the district average, raising fresh concern among health officials.
The alarming figures were revealed in a presentation by the Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Maternal and Child Health (ADHO-MCH), Ms Constansia Alela, during a national Teenage Pregnancy Surveillance and Response (TPSR) platform meeting held on Friday.
According to the report, Dokolo District currently stands at 24%, with a target to reduce the rate to 18% by June 2026 under a coordinated multi-sectoral response plan.
Besides Adeknino, other sub-counties with high teenage pregnancy rates include Bata Town Council/Bata Sub-county, which recorded 32%, and Okwalongwen at 29%.
Amwoma Sub-county, though comparatively lower at 21%, remains under close monitoring.
Ms Alela said the disparities highlight the need for targeted interventions focusing on the most affected communities.
Data covering January 2025 to March 2026 shows that teenage pregnancy rates in the district have remained largely stagnant between 22% and 25%, with some areas registering sharp increases.
“The spike in Adeknino is a clear signal that more focused and sustained efforts are needed,” Ms Alela noted.
The report attributes the high rates to a combination of social and systemic challenges, including:
- High school dropout rates among girls.
- Weak parental supervision.
- Harmful cultural practices.
- Limited access to adolescent-friendly health services.
- Gaps in reporting and responding to gender-based violence.
Dokolo District is implementing a joint action plan involving health, education, community leaders and law enforcement agencies to address the crisis.
Key interventions include scaling up adolescent-friendly services, intensifying community sensitisation, strengthening child protection systems, and improving data tracking and response mechanisms.
Despite the ongoing efforts, officials cited limited funding, logistical constraints, and community resistance as major barriers to progress.
Ms Alela called for increased support and stronger enforcement of child protection laws to curb the vice.
The TPSR platform, coordinated by the Ministry of Health, brings together stakeholders to monitor trends and strengthen responses to teenage pregnancy, which remains a major public health concern in Uganda.
