Clerics under their umbrella body the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) have kicked off a campaign to end teenage pregnancies in the Acholi Sub-region.
The clerics said on Thursday, that teenage pregnancy is retarding the development, growth, future, and health of young girls in the country.
According to statistics from different health departments and civil society organizations, there is a high prevalence of teenage pregnancies in the area stating that it spiked during the covid-19 lockdown.
The numbers recorded between the years 2019 and 2021 put the number at approximately 20,000, with the majority being school girls who were home due to the closure of all learning institutions in the country.
Now, on Thursday, the clerics under the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) converged at Golden Peace Hotel in Gulu City seeking to identify problems affecting development in the area and how the government and all stakeholders can be tasked to address them.
They unanimously agreed that teenage pregnancies require a concerted effort to get rid of them. Sheikh Musa Khalil, the Acting Northern Regional Deputy Mufti says that all clerics have been tasked to preach against teenage pregnancies during masses and services.
He explained that the constant message against teenage pregnancies and early marriage will be extended to all gatherings within different locations where the clerics will be invited to officiate.
On her part, Reverend Margaret Aciro, of the Pentecostal Churches of Uganda, noted that they will incorporate sexual education and spiritual holiness in their preaching to instill discipline and morality among young people.
She added that regular conferences and engagements with young people will also be organized to pass sexual education, healthy lifestyles, and experience sharing from survivors of sexual abuse.
Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu Catholic Diocese on the other hand noted that all religious leaders will be tasked to play roles within their different capacities.
Through IRCU, the clerics also noted that the resolution will be tabled before the different government agencies to have them incorporated into their policies as part of the national action plan.
Reverend Margaret Aciro, of the Pentecostal Churches of Uganda, noted that they will incorporate sexual education and spiritual holiness in their preaching to instill discipline and morality among young people.
Rev. Aciro added that regular conferences and engagements with young people will also be organized to pass sexual education, healthy lifestyles, and experience sharing from survivors of sexual abuse.
Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu Catholic Diocese on the other hand noted that all religious leaders will be tasked to play roles within their different capacities.
Through IRCU, the clerics also noted that the resolution will be tabled before the different government agencies to have them incorporated into their policies as part of the national action plan.
