Lango: Dokolo blames Covid-19 for high teenage pregnancy

By Norine Kazombo

Dokolo – 9, November 2021: The Covid-19 pandemic is being blamed for the increasing numbers of teenage pregnancy in Dokolo district.

Patrick Ouni is the Disease Surveillance Focal Point Person. He revealed Dokolo is number four in entire Lango sub region with 2,363 registered cases of teenage pregnancies.

He added that the vice is very high, attributing it to Covid-19 lockdowns “where kids are not safe anymore since schools have been closed”.

Ouni said parents have totally forgotten about their duties and responsibilities not knowing what they involve themselves in. “Parents should play their roles so that whatever children do out there portrays the homes they come from.”

“Parents, elders should strongly take hold of their cardinal responsibilities,” he added, quickly revealing that “all the teenage pregnancy is because of parents neglecting their parental duties and responsibilities.”

He cited an incidence where the elderly mix up with the teenagers, interacting in unbecoming behaviors leading the minors into risks.

Dokolo district has opened up a free space at the health facility to allow teenagers open up and interact freely with the service providers.

Because of the increasing cases of teenage pregnancy in the entire country, Legislators last week sought the attention of the government on teenage pregnancy and child marriages.

Parliament of Uganda recently passed a motion asking the government to address the challenges faced by girl child. The House cited teenage pregnancy, early child marriages and also trafficking as some of the issues that need immediate attention.

Speaking at the floor of Parliament on the same matter, the Woman MP of Tororo, Sarah Opendi stressed that COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the pre-existing challenges facing the girl child, exacerbating the exposure of girls trafficking both internally and internationally.

Most MPs supported the motion. Some MPs noted that because of high level of teenage pregnancy and early marriages many of the young girls have acquired HIV/AIDS.

The Deputy Speaker, Anita Among during that time said parents have moved away from their parenting roles.

“We are not talking to these children,” Among told the House, adding that, “There is need to talk to both the boys and girls; sex education is useful.”