Residents and local leaders in Katanga, Wandegeya, have expressed concern over the growing number of teenage girls becoming single mothers, blaming the trend on poverty, inadequate parental guidance and limited access to sexual and reproductive health information.
The concerns were raised by young mothers and community leaders in Kimwanyi Zone, commonly known as Katanga, one of Kampala's densely populated informal settlements.
Many of the young mothers said they were abandoned by the men responsible for their pregnancies, leaving them to raise children on their own while struggling to survive.
"I became pregnant at the age of 14 after a man promised to support my education and take care of me," said Mariam, now 17.
"Instead, he disappeared after I conceived. I had to start washing people's clothes while pregnant just to survive and provide for myself."
Residents said Katanga's relatively affordable housing and proximity to Kampala's city centre attract many young people.
However, they noted that the settlement's harsh living conditions and economic hardships have contributed to rising cases of teenage pregnancy.
Several young mothers attributed their circumstances to a lack of guidance and access to accurate information.
"If local leaders and parents took more time to educate and counsel young girls, especially those without parental support, many of us would not be in this situation," one of the young mothers said.
The mothers also appealed to parents to provide basic necessities for their daughters, arguing that financial hardship leaves many girls vulnerable to exploitation by older men.
Local council leaders acknowledged an increase in teenage pregnancies and cases of young mothers being abandoned, saying the trend has become a major concern.
"We receive about five defilement cases every week, along with around seven cases of girls who have been abandoned after becoming pregnant," a local leader said.
"This is a worrying trend that requires urgent intervention from government and all community stakeholders."
Community leaders called on government agencies to strengthen awareness campaigns, enforce laws against the sexual abuse of minors and expand programmes that support vulnerable children and teenage mothers.
Meanwhile, the May Rays of Hope Foundation provided young mothers with essential household items and psychosocial support to help them rebuild their lives.
"We want these girls to know that becoming a mother at a young age is not the end of their future," one of the foundation's volunteers said. "With the right support, they can continue their education, learn skills and become self-reliant."
The volunteers said many children living in informal settlements remain unaware of the risks associated with early pregnancy and sexual exploitation, and urged the government to invest more in community education and youth empowerment programmes to help reduce teenage pregnancies.
