The Kyabazinga of Busoga, William Gabula Nadiope, has pledged the Kingdom’s full commitment to fighting teenage pregnancies and child marriages, following a high-level engagement with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) at the Kingdom’s headquarters.
The meeting, attended by Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative and Head of Office in Uganda, marked a formal strengthening of ties between the Kingdom and the global agency.
The partnership will spearhead targeted interventions aimed at reversing school dropout rates, improving education outcomes, and addressing the underlying causes of early pregnancies in the region.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Dr Nandy for visiting and for his commitment to supporting Busoga Kingdom in combating teenage pregnancies and improving education standards in the region,” the Kyabazinga said during the ceremony.
Addressing students directly, the Monarch emphasized the importance of education, cautioning youth against choices that could compromise their futures.
He also called on all stakeholders—parents, teachers, local leaders, and policymakers—to reflect on the drivers of the crisis and act decisively to protect young people from exploitation and neglect.
Dr Nandy applauded the Kyabazinga’s leadership, noting the importance of community-led solutions in addressing entrenched social issues.
“Unicef is committed to supporting initiatives that aim to reduce school dropout rates and support young mothers to continue with their education,” Dr Nandy said, reiterating the agency’s support for collaborative, sustainable efforts to keep children—particularly girls—in school.
The renewed alliance will see the rollout of a comprehensive response plan, including community sensitization, policy advocacy, and tailored support services for adolescent girls.
The strategy aims to create safe, inclusive environments where young people can thrive.
The event drew a host of dignitaries including the Kingdom's 2nd Deputy Prime Minister Osman Ahmed Noor, Speaker of the Busoga Lukiiko George Mutyabule, and several ministers: Yudaya Babirye (Kyabazinga Affairs), Nasabu Nantale (Education), Rose Kafuko (Gender), and Alex Luganda (Constitutional Affairs).
Members of the royal family and traditional leaders such as Prince Sam Nkuutu and the Issabalangira were also in attendance.
Katukiro Joseph Muvawala used the platform to issue a strong critique of both societal and institutional failures.
He singled out parents for neglecting their roles and allowing children to navigate life without guidance.
“Parents have become spectators. They’ve left children to self-manage, which has created a vacuum,” Muvawala said.
He further criticized the education system’s obsession with academic grades, arguing that it undermines character formation and practical skills development.
“Grades have compromised competitiveness among learners by neglecting character and practical life skills,” he added.
The renewed Unicef–Busoga partnership comes at a time when the region is facing one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in the country.
The new strategy hopes to reverse this trend through multi-level engagement and culturally grounded interventions.
As Busoga Kingdom takes the lead in confronting a national crisis, its collaboration with Unicef serves as a powerful example of how traditional institutions can partner with international organizations to build empowered, educated, and resilient communities.