Nwoya District Moves to Enforce Teenage Pregnancy Ordinance 2024

Nwoya, Uganda – The Nwoya District Council has begun efforts to popularize the Teenage Pregnancy Ordinance 2024, a newly enacted law aimed at protecting children from harmful gatherings that contribute to early pregnancies and school dropouts.

The ordinance, passed in November 2024 and approved by the Solicitor General, prohibits children from attending events such as funerals, forced marriages, market days, crusades held beyond 10 PM, and night discos. It outlines the responsibilities of various stakeholders, from village leaders to district authorities, in safeguarding teenagers.

Tony Okello, the Nwoya District Speaker, emphasized that the ordinance mandates the district to develop a Teenage Pregnancy Action Plan. This includes increasing the number of health practitioners at health facilities, conducting termly pregnancy tests in schools, and ensuring better monitoring of teenage treatment at health centers. Authorities must also prioritize the emergency treatment of pregnant teenagers and enforce the arrest of those responsible for teenage pregnancies.

At the village level, local leaders are required to arrest perpetrators, raise awareness about teenage pregnancy, and involve the entire community in addressing the issue.

Violators of the ordinance face penalties, including a fine of up to 40,000 shillings (two currency points) or six months imprisonment, or both.

To ensure effective implementation, the district will launch community sensitization meetings next week to educate the public on the provisions of the ordinance.

The move comes as part of broader efforts to curb rising cases of teenage pregnancies, which have been a major concern in the district.