By Okello Baker, Radio Wa
Otuke District has launched a large-scale sensitization campaign targeting local leaders and Court Committee members, in collaboration with NGOs, to combat the high prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and teenage pregnancy.
In a phone interview, Sylvester Ocen, Otuke District Community Development Officer, confirmed rising cases of GBV and teenage pregnancies leading to school dropouts among girls, particularly in Ogwete Sub-County, which has been identified as a hotspot. NGOs involved in the initiative include ActionAid Uganda, BRAC, and Naguru AIDS Information Centre.
Francis Abola, District Chairperson, acknowledged the critical role of poverty and famine in exacerbating GBV, noting that frequent household stress is driving the crisis. He also cited the lingering trauma from the LRA insurgency, which continues to undermine community resilience.
Last year, Otuke District was ranked highest in the Lango sub-region for both teenage pregnancies and GBV.
Uganda maintains one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in East Africa, consistently around 25% since 2016 (UNICEF Uganda). Over 354,000 teenage pregnancies were registered in 2020 alone, with Lango sub-region among the most affected (UNFPA Uganda).
Gender-Based Violence remains widespread: half of all Ugandan women aged 15–49 experience intimate partner or sexual violence at least once, and 30% experienced such violence in the past year (Wikipedia). During COVID‑19 lockdowns, 76% of respondents reported an increase in GBV (UN Women).
The NGOs leading the campaign emphasize not just awareness, but linking survivors to legal and psychosocial support, strengthening school re-entry for teenage mothers, and equipping local leaders to handle cases more effectively.
A community volunteer in Ogwete, who requested anonymity, noted that several girls had already dropped out of school due to pregnancy.
“If this campaign helps even one girl go back to class, it will change her future,” she said.
The initiative is expected to expand across the district, with a focus on prevention, support, and empowerment, aiming to curb the high rates of GBV and teenage pregnancies while restoring hope for affected girls and families.
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