Uganda’s Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, has called for stricter enforcement of laws against child marriage and teenage pregnancy, warning that the two remain significant barriers to the country’s development.

The minister made the remarks during the launch of a girls’ mentorship programme in Mayuge District, where he addressed community leaders, parents, and young people on the growing challenges affecting adolescent girls.

“We have laws in place to protect our children, but enforcement remains weak. Those involved in defilement and child marriages must face the full force of the law,” Barugahara said.

He stressed that without firm action, many young girls will continue to be exposed to abuse, early pregnancies, and forced marriages that derail their futures.

Barugahara also called for increased investment in education and livelihood programmes, noting that empowering young people, especially girls, is key to prevention.

“If we keep our girls in school and equip them with skills, we are not just protecting them, we are building the future of this country,” he added.

Highlighting Uganda’s youthful population, the minister noted that nearly 71 percent of citizens are under the age of 30, describing this as both a challenge and an opportunity.

“Our young people are our greatest asset. If we invest in them properly, they will drive Uganda’s transformation,” he said.

The girls’ mentorship initiative launched in Mayuge aims to equip young girls with life skills, confidence, and guidance to navigate social pressures and stay in school.

Stakeholders at the event emphasised the need for collective responsibility, from families and schools to community leaders, to protect girls and ensure they achieve their full potential.

Barugahara’s remarks come amid continued concern over teenage pregnancy and child marriage in Uganda, issues that experts say contribute to school dropouts, poverty, and long-term inequality among women and girls.