King William Gabula Nadiope IV of Busoga has been appointed as a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador to lead an important initiative against teenage pregnancy in Uganda. This campaign will particularly focus on tackling critical issues in the Busoga region, which has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies and child marriages in the country.
The initiative, titled “Abasadha ne’Mpango” (Men are the Pillars), aims to address the root causes of teenage pregnancy, such as poverty, absent parenting, and limited access to reproductive health services. Notably, it will engage men and boys to foster their active participation in parenting, community leadership, and family dynamics, thus promoting positive societal changes.
Haji Osman Ahmed Noor, the 2nd Deputy Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom and Head of Partnerships, emphasized the commitment of the Kyabazinga to drive cultural, social, and economic transformation in the region. He stated, “This campaign seeks to strengthen the family unit in Busoga, which is vital for the region’s cultural and economic development, as envisioned by His Majesty The Kyabazinga and Inhebantu.”
Supported by UNAIDS in collaboration with eleven UN agencies—including UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, and the World Bank—the campaign will leverage each organization’s expertise to tackle various issues, including education gaps, economic pressures, and harmful social norms that contribute to early pregnancies and child marriages.
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the campaign also aims to fulfill UNAIDS’ mission of achieving zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero discrimination. Key drivers of teenage pregnancies, such as economic insecurity and gaps in parenting, will be targeted, alongside efforts to promote responsible media consumption among adolescents.
The official appointment of the Kyabazinga will take place on December 13, 2024, coinciding with Uganda’s International Men’s Day celebrations. The event will provide free medical services, including HIV/AIDS counseling and testing, TB screening, and prostate cancer screening, to the public.
This initiative is a collaboration involving Obwakyabazinga bwa Busoga, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and other partners. It will be spearheaded by Kyabazinga Initiatives (KI), a development organization founded in 2023 under the Kyabazinga’s office, working alongside kingdom structures, UN agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure its success.
The campaign’s launch will coincide with celebrations for His Majesty’s 36th birthday on December 14, 2024, including a royal banquet at Igenge Palace. The following day, December 15, will feature the final match of the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup at Bugembe Stadium, where Busoga United FC will be unveiled by FUFA, followed by a friendly match against the Uganda Cranes.
Owekitiibwa Osman Ahmed Noor has encouraged the public to participate in these festivities, inviting them to “Join us at Kyabazinga Stadium Bugembe for this historic event as we celebrate His Majesty’s birthday and the unity of Busoga through sports.”
