The number of girls dropping out of school to get married continues to worry leaders in Lyantonde District despite the existence of an education ordinance to check the problem.

According to Ms Fatuma Kyomuhangi, a field officer with Forum for Women in Democracy, an organisation fighting for gender equality, their latest survey reveals that 65 per cent of girls in the district drop out of school before completing Primary Seven.

“This trend is so common in Kashagama, Kinuuka, Kaliiro, Lyantonde rural and Mpumudde sub- counties. This needs to be reversed if we are to have good mothers for tomorrow,” Ms Kyomuhangi said during the launch of the report at the district headquarters on Monday.

Mr Paul Nuwagaba, the head teacher Kyemamba Primary School, said 20 pupils have dropped out of his school to get married in the past one year.

According to a 2011 Demographic Health Survey, about 25 per cent teenagers get pregnant annually. Fourteen per cent of these had their first sexual encounter at 15 years, while 57 per cent had their first encounter before 18 years, with majority dropping out of school due to pregnancy.

“I tried to intervene with the help of police and Lyantonde District officials without any success,” he said.

Mr Medard Byarugaba, the Lyantonde District education officer, attributed the problem to lack of enough secondary schools in the district, which leave the parents with no option but to marry off their daughters.

He gives an example of Mpumudde and Kashagama sub-counties which have one secondary school each.

“After completing their primary seven examinations, many of them have nowhere to study hence getting married,” he said.

Mr Fred Muhangi, the district chairperson, blames the problem on ignorance of parents who don’t value education of the girl child.

According to a 2011 Demographic Health Survey, about 25 per cent teenagers get pregnant annually. Fourteen per cent of these had their first sexual encounter at 15 years, while 57 per cent had their first encounter before 18 years, with majority dropping out of school due to pregnancy.