Soroti, Uganda | Teenage pregnancies in Soroti City are rising at an alarming rate, with adolescents under 18 now accounting for 15 percent of expectant mothers in the city, city health officials have revealed.
Speaking during a city accountability dialogue held at The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) offices, Soroti City Health Officer Dr. Alfred Anyonga expressed concern over the trend, warning that the growing number of teen mothers poses serious health, social, and economic risks.
He emphasized that while government initiatives are integrating services to improve access to sexual and reproductive health care, success will depend on strong collaboration among all stakeholders.
The dialogue, organized by AHF Uganda Cares under the theme “Advancing Youth Health through Responsive Systems,” brought together city leaders, police, cultural and religious institutions, education authorities, and youth representatives led by the Girls Act movement.
Participants discussed barriers young people face in accessing health services, including stigma and dismissive attitudes from some health workers.
Akello Winfred, leader of Girls Act, noted that adolescents living with HIV often avoid health facilities for fear of judgment, while many teens seeking family planning services face discrimination and ridicule.
Isaac Ekellot, the city HIV focal person, highlighted that while adolescents aged 10–19 are showing improved adherence to treatment, young people aged 20–24 continue to struggle with consistent care.
He added that Soroti City has identified 122 HIV hotspots, including bars, lodges, and streets, where high-risk behaviors contribute to new infections.
The dialogue concluded with a call for collective responsibility.
Stakeholders agreed that by combining cultural guidance, government resources, NGO innovation, and youth engagement, Soroti can reverse the trend of rising teenage pregnancies, curb HIV infections, and create opportunities for young people to thrive.
Bishop Ebbiau summed up the sentiment, stating that the future of Teso lies in the hands of its youth and urging the community to guide, support, and equip them for success.