By Emmanuel Olinga
Katakwi District authorities have expressed growing concern over the escalating rate of adolescent pregnancies among primary school girls, following a newly released 2025 statistical report that shows a worrying upward trend.
According to the district education department, at least 23 girls from 14 primary schools were impregnated this year, an increase from fewer than 14 cases recorded in previous years.
A letter dated November 28, 2025, issued by the District Education Office, indicates that the affected girls are pupils between Primary Four and Primary Seven, highlighting the urgent need for intensified child protection interventions across the district.
The breakdown from the report shows the scope of the problem: Alengo St. Paul Primary School registered three Primary Seven girls who were impregnated; Odoot Primary School recorded one case; Acanga Primary School had one; Olilim Primary School registered three; Apuuton Toroma Primary School had one case; Akurao Primary School registered one; and Amusai Primary School recorded a Primary Four girl who was impregnated.
Other affected schools include Akwamor Primary School with one case; Alogook Primary School with two; Apeero Primary School with two; Nazareth Primary School with one; Aparisa Usuk Primary School with two cases; BT Angerepo Primary School with three cases; and Okuda Primary School, which registered one teenage pregnancy.
Authorities say the increasing numbers are a clear indication that more young girls are slipping through the cracks of community, parental, and institutional protection systems.
Betty Angiro, the Senior Probation Officer of Katakwi District Local Government, attributes the spike in teenage pregnancies partly to parental neglect and the uncontrolled exposure of children to digital platforms that often violate their rights.
She noted that the misuse of smartphones has drawn many young girls into risky behaviours, with parents failing to monitor or restrict their children’s phone usage.
“Many parents are not bothered about what their children access on their phones, yet these same gadgets have enticed young girls into sexual activities,” Angiro said.
She further expressed concern that some parents continue to support early marriages motivated by the prospect of dowry, a practice she says contributes significantly to the rising cases of teenage mothers and Gender-Based Violence in the district.
To curb the trend, Angiro urged parents and guardians to report any cases of child abuse or exploitation to relevant authorities.
She also called on clan leaders to intensify community sensitization, particularly among young girls, about the dangers and long-term consequences of early pregnancies.
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