The Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, has raised serious concern over the increasing number of abortions, particularly among school-going girls.
He made the remarks during the opening Mass of the International Catholic Women’s Conference and Woman Pilgrimage of Hope at the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo, which also marked the Feast of Mother Mary of Nazareth.
The Archbishop noted that many adolescent girls are resorting to abortion due to fear of pregnancy and the responsibilities that come with motherhood.
This trend is especially pronounced in areas heavily populated with school-aged girls, pointing to issues of neglect, poor guidance, and lack of discipline.
Uganda continues to grapple with high rates of teenage pregnancy.
According to the 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS), approximately 25% of girls aged 15 to 19 have had a child or are currently pregnant.
The same report estimates that about 57,000 abortions occur annually among adolescents in this age group, accounting for 18% of all abortions recorded in health facilities.
These figures highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions and stronger support systems for young people.
During the conference, Archbishop Ssemogerere called for more parental involvement, counseling, and societal support to guide the youth away from risky behavior that often leads to early pregnancies and abortion.
He stressed the importance of addressing the root causes, including moral decay, lack of sex education, and limited access to supportive services.
The Archbishop also recognized the valuable role women continue to play in Uganda’s development.
He acknowledged their contributions to household income generation, the growth of the Church, peace-building, accountability, and national development.
The International Catholic Women’s Conference is expected to run for four days at Namugongo.
It brings together women from Uganda and beyond to reflect on various issues affecting them, with a focus on faith, family, health, leadership, and their role as custodians of moral and social values in society.
By Gideon P Ssebulime
29th July 2025
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