Kyabazinga Unveiled as UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador to Fight Teenage Pregnancies and Child Marriages

The Joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS UNAIDS in partnership with the Kyabazinga of Busoga have launched a campaign dubbed "abasadha n"empango" (men are the pillars) to address the alarming rates of teenage pregnancies and child marriages in the Busoga subregion.

This was during a ceremony at the Kingdom headquarters Bugembe in Jinja City where Kyabazinga William Gabula Nadiope IV was unveiled as a UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador.

This campaign aims to promote behavioral change among men and boys, encouraging them to take up responsible roles in their families to combat these vices.

According to the latest UNFPA report, Busoga ranks highest in Uganda for teenage pregnancies and child marriages, with over 130,530 girls aged 15 to 19 impregnated in the last three years.

The districts of Kamuli and Mayuge recorded the highest numbers.

Addressing guests during the unveiling, the Kyabazinga expressed optimism about the campaign's potential impact.

"As a Kingdom, we believe in proper service delivery. By working with organized organizations like UNAIDS, we are confident that we can achieve our target. Teamwork is essential for better results in community-based activities," he said.

Jacqueline Makokha, UNAIDS Country Director, explained the significance of engaging the Kyabazinga as a goodwill ambassador, emphasizing the need for men to lead the fight against these issues.

"We launched Abasadha n’empango because men are pillars in society. By involving them, we can foster behavioral change to reduce teenage pregnancies and HIV infections among adolescents," she noted during her address.

The campaign will include sensitization programs aimed at mobilizing men and boys across Busoga.

With support from the Kingdom's structures—ranging from the Chiefs’ Royal Council to clan heads—the initiative seeks to cascade its message to the grassroots.

Sarah Nakku, UNAIDS Community Mobilization and Networking Officer, highlighted the link between teenage pregnancies and the risk of contracting HIV among adolescents aged 15 to 24 She emphasized the need for a collaborative approach, with agencies across Busoga forming a consortium to work toward a shared goal.

"We aim to reduce teenage pregnancies in the region from 28% to at least 19% within five years," she said, expressing optimism about the campaign's impact.

Despite a minimal 1% reduction in teenage pregnancies over the past five years, Nakku is hopeful that the Kyabazinga’s involvement will drive significant change.

Yudaya Babirye, Minister for Kyabazinga Affairs in Busoga Kingdom, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to the campaign.

"The Kyabazinga has long been concerned about the negative reports surrounding his Kingdom. This initiative is a great opportunity to reverse the status quo," she said.

The kingdom will utilize its hierarchical structures, including the Busoga Lukiiko and the Busoga Cabinet, to amplify the campaign’s message.

The campaign’s launch coincided with International Men’s Day, a fitting moment to reinforce the importance of male involvement in addressing societal challenges.

As the fight against teenage pregnancies and child marriages intensifies, the people of Busoga look forward to a brighter future under the leadership of their Kyabazinga and the collaborative efforts of UNAIDS and other stakeholders.