Luweero, Uganda — The Girls Not Brides Uganda (GNBU) Central Region Girl Summit was held at the Central Girls Vocational School in Masunkwe Village, Zirobwe Sub-county, Luweero District. Hosted by the Anthill Foundation Uganda, the summit ran under the theme “The Cost of Inaction to Address the Root Causes of Child Marriages and Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda.”
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders — including education leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, community leaders, and young people. The summit aimed to collectively explore strategies to keep girls in school and create opportunities for young mothers to reenter the education system, empowering them to excel and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Young Voices and Stakeholder Dialogues
The summit featured interactive dialogues led by young people and education stakeholders. These discussions included testimonies from young mothers who have successfully returned to school, updates from district leaders on progress made in combating child marriage and teenage pregnancy in Luweero, and reflections on the persistent challenges preventing pregnant girls and young mothers from completing their education.
Guided by the summit’s slogan, “Re-Entry, Reclaim, Rise,” participants examined how to better implement the Ministry of Education and Sports’ re-entry policies. They highlighted key barriers such as stigma, economic hardship, and a lack of support structures all of which hinder young mothers from returning to school and completing their studies.
Call for Collective Action
Luweero District Probation Officer, Ms. Martha Botono, acknowledged the ongoing efforts to support girls’ education but noted that teenage pregnancy rates remain high. She called for collective action to change the narrative, urging parents and guardians to take a more active role in nurturing and protecting their children.
Discussions revealed that the Central Region continues to face several challenges affecting girls’ education including poverty, limited access to sexual and reproductive health information, and cultural norms that tolerate early marriage. These factors perpetuate school dropouts and cycles of poverty among young women.
Youth-Led Advocacy and Partnerships
During the youth panel, representatives from Anthill Foundation Uganda, Concern for the Girl Child, The Remnant Generation, and CDI Luweero emphasized the need for stronger support systems for girls affected by child marriage and teenage pregnancy. They called for tackling root causes through education, community awareness, and empowerment programs.
The host institution’s team lead, Ms. Elizabeth Kalemera, urged all stakeholders from national to community level to strengthen collaboration in addressing the challenges young people face. She stressed that inaction carries a heavy cost for both the economy and society.
Young women speakers at the summit advocated for “second-chance education” opportunities that are inclusive and effective for all, calling on education institutions and communities to foster gender responsiveness and inclusion.
Government Commitment and Support
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Elijah Katende from the Ministry of Education and Sports, commended the initiative and called for unified efforts to implement national education policies that uplift the girl child. He challenged men to play an active role in keeping girls and young women safe and encouraged all stakeholders to expand education opportunities nationwide.
Mr. Katende also applauded the Central Girls Vocational School for its innovative re-entry model, which integrates vocational training, childcare support, and personal development classes, enabling young mothers to balance learning with parenting and successfully transition into the world of work.
Reaffirming Commitment
The summit concluded with more than 450 stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to promoting re-entry programs, gender equity, and expanded educational opportunities for girls and young women across Uganda.
Participants represented various schools, public institutions, and organizations including CEDOVIP, CRVPF, Girls Not Brides Uganda, Trailblazers Mentoring Foundation, Raising Teenagers Uganda, High Sound for Children, Rhythm of Life, Just Like My Child, Anthill Foundation Uganda, Concern for the Girl Child, and the Rotary Club of Kasangati.
