Police, PRAU Celebrate Women’s Day with Teenage Mothers

Uganda Police Force in partnership with Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) yesterday belatedly marked the International Women’s Day with young pregnant girls and teenage mothers.

The commemorations kicked off with a procession led by the Police Band from Silver Springs Hotel to Naguru Teenage Center, where the event took place.

Speaking to young girls carrying both born and unborn babies at Naguru Teenage Center, Assistant Commissioner of Police Anatoli Muleterwa who represented the Inspector General of Police called upon them not to take the situation they are experiencing as the end of life.

“None of you desired that situation but you only found yourselves there. But don’t lose hope. Some of you encounter such challenges because you hail from poor families,” he said.

Poverty in families, he said, forces many children to be the bread winners of their families and end up getting unwanted pregnancies at an early age.

PRAU President Sarah Kagingo speaking to teenage mothers at Naguru Teenage Center on Friday.Muleterwa cautioned girls who have not encountered the challenge not to be persuaded by their fellow peers and get involved in sex at a tender age.

He comforted the girls by sharing his life story narrating that his mother was also a victim of the same scenario.

“If my mother was of this generation, my father would be in jail because my father defiled and impregnated my mother at 13 years. But because she was strong, she gave birth to a Commissioner of Police.”

“Therefore, have faith that you can change your life despite the situation you are passing through. Today we are here to show you and show the world that you are important.”

“Now you are expectant mothers but Uganda has a lot of hope in you. You have a role in nation building. Stand up and embrace that role,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President of Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) Sarah Kagingo comforted the girls by reiterating Muleterwa’s words that being pregnant at a tender age is not the end of life.

“This is not the end of life. You can raise your child and go back to school. Don not lose hope,” Kagingo told pregnant girls.

Mrs Kagingo added that most of the girls who suffer victims of the circumstances are raped.

“Some of the girls are raped and that’s why we are here to raise awareness.”

She applauded Naguru Teenage Center for always extending assistance to pregnant girls.

Naguru Teenage Center receives at least 300 girls impregnated a month.

The pregnant girls were provided with birthing kits, towels and other basic materials needed during pregnancy and at delivery.