By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
The Minister of Health, Dr. Ruth Aceng Ocero has launched the implementation of ‘Enhancing Integration of Adolescent Family Planning and Post-Abortion Care project in Northern Uganda, praising its researchers and funders for the effort to save lives.
The Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and other partners are funding the 3-year project. Minister lauded Lira University for scooping the research project.
Hon. Dr Aceng, also Woman MP, Lira City, challenged community in northern region to end teenage pregnancies through community parenting, guide adolescent youth about dangers of involving in early sex, but rather take up education seriously. She was addressing CAFFP-PAC project launch held at Margaritha Palace Hotel in Lira City on 4th April 2025.
The Minister advised cultural, religious and political leaders to join hands in the fight against early sex among girls and boys as the end result, in most cases, are catching diseases or pregnancy. She advised pregnant girls to go back to school in order to achieve their education dreams.
Dr. Aceng castigated men who lure young girls into sex saying their brains are not developed. “How would an old man use baits or gifts in exchange for sex, when actually you know the implications of such sinful acts on a young girl whose body is not yet fully developed and ready to carry a baby,” she notes.
She also challenged parents to avoid forcing their daughters for early marriage for greed of bride wealth. “Stop risking the lives of your daughters, our mind-set should change,” she laments. She added that pregnant girls sometimes experience caesarean section and fistula while giving birth, the risks that should be avoided through mind-set change.
The Minister noted that the research report will help in the government policy formulation and be included in the education curriculum on adolescents and life.
“Enhancing Integration of Adolescent Family Planning and Post-Abortion Care in Northern Uganda: A Citizen Science, Gender-Transformative Approach (CAFFP-PAC)” is the project title.
The Principal Investigator and Director of Graduate Training and Research at Lira University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Omech Bernard revealed that Adolescent sexual reproductive health (ASRH) remains a critical global health challenge, with millions of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions occurring annually.
Dr Omech added that Uganda faces a high burden due to its young population and limited ASRH services particularly in the rural areas. He further explained that Northern Uganda, especially Lira district, experiences some of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the country, exceeding 30% in some areas.
Prof. Omech said that the research investigators will use the Citizen-Science Model involving adolescents, parents and caregivers, healthcare providers, and community leaders in co-designing interventions, with bottom-up and gender-transformative approach in promoting co-ownership in the CAFFP-PAC.
Several political, civic, religious and cultural leaders who addressed the gathering condemned early sex practices among the adolescents and promised to carry out community sensitization meetings in their respective areas of jurisdiction, focusing on the mind-set change.
