In Uganda, 25.2 percent of girls aged 15 to 19 were either mothers or pregnant in 2012, according to data from the World Bank and compiled by Quandl.(NET PHOTO)
A primary seven pupil at Ongerei Primary School in Ngora District developed labour pains in the middle of her Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) and was rushed to hospital where she gave birth. The incident happened when the pupils were doing a mathematics exam on Wednesday at 10am.
The girl, 15, whose identity has been withheld because she is a minor delivered a baby girl before Police escorted her back to school to resume the paper as her sister only identified as Agwang took care of the baby.
Michael Odongo the East Kyoga police spokesperson confirmed the dramatic incident that shocked unsuspecting classmates and teachers.
He, however could not shed more light to the matter, saying the media should wait for a formal report after investigate the case of defilement was finished.
A relative of the minor, who spoke to TheUgandan on a condition of anonymity, said the girl, who had concealed the pregnancy had initially refused to go write her examination but was forced to.
“She had confided in her elder sister only. She was however ready to dodge her final exams but was convinced against the idea before giving birth a day later,” said the relative.
Ngora District Woman Member of Parliament Jacqueline Amongin (NRM) bemoaned early indulgence in sexual activities by juveniles and school going children.
She said early sexual activities resulted in unwanted pregnancies, which she said had negative ramifications in the future.
“It is an unfortunate situation that primary seven pupil was impregnated and gave birth while writing her examinations.
“Government policy is to encourage the girl child to complete education and desist from indulging in sexual activity at an early age,” she says.
“This has ramifications to their education trajectory.
“If we look deeper, the child could have been sexually abused by an adult, which itself becomes a rape case.