By BM
In a country where nearly one in four girls fall victim to teenage pregnancy, a grassroots movement is rewriting the narrative one girl, one child, one safe space at a time.
On Friday, Remnant Generation, a Ugandan NGO founded by Annabel Nakabiri, marked ten years of transforming the lives of teenage mothers across the country.
The milestone celebration was not just a reflection of past achievements, but a powerful call to action to confront the deep-rooted causes of Uganda’s teenage pregnancy crisis.
From her beginnings in a slum community in Kosovo, Annabel’s journey has become a symbol of resilience and purpose.
Speaking at the anniversary event in Kampala, Nakabiri recalled opening the NGO’s first shelter in a borrowed Askari’s room. “That year, we served 28 girls and had one baby delivered. You should have heard her scream,” she said with emotion.
Since then, Remnant Generation has served over 11,000 girls and supported the safe birth of more than 3,000 babies.
With support from both local and international partners, the organization has expanded from a small shelter to a network of safe spaces, mobile clinics, vocational centers, and advocacy efforts now active in seven districts and three countries.
“We’ve seen babies take their first breath in our safe arms. We’ve seen young women who once believed they had no future graduate, start businesses, and lead community transformation,” Nakabiri said.
But her message also highlighted painful truths: rampant sexual violence, deeply entrenched poverty, and cultural practices that continue to rob girls of their futures.
Teenage Pregnancy: A National Emergency
According to Timothy Opobo, Executive Director of the AfriChild Centre, Uganda faces one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Africa, currently estimated at 24%.
“This is a national emergency,” Opobo warned. “Girls are being lured into early sex because of poverty, lack of access to basic needs like sanitary pads, and harmful cultural practices. Our legal frameworks are in place, but they are not being enforced. Only a tiny fraction of reported sexual abuse cases result in conviction.”
The problem is exacerbated by systemic failures in justice and protection.
Many survivors never report due to stigma, while others are silenced by families or communities. “Generational trauma is real,” Nakabiri said, speaking of her own family’s history of forced child marriage. “But it had to end with a certain generation, and I’m glad it ended with us.”
A Model That Works: In partnership with the AfriChild Centre, Remnant Generation has pioneered the 3RT Model Rescue, Rehabilitate, Reintegrate, and Thrive a comprehensive approach to support teenage mothers.
A recent study revealed that the model significantly improves life outcomes for vulnerable girls, many of whom have returned to school, started businesses, or become community leaders.
Girls who were once child brides are now prosecuting their abusers. Shelters like the Princess Shelter and Jewels of Honor have become sanctuaries for girls fleeing sexual exploitation and abuse.
At the Thrive Vocational Centre, girls learn market-ready skills using modern equipment, preparing them for financial independence and dignity.
The Call to Action: Despite these successes, Nakabiri insists the journey is far from over. “We can’t be content with progress alone. We must strengthen survivor-centered justice systems, invest in mental health, and dismantle cultural norms that excuse abuse.”
She called on parents, teachers, religious leaders, and government institutions to step forward. “It doesn’t begin with the resources we don’t have. It starts where we are—when a teacher listens without judgment, when a parent chooses protection over silence, when a pastor opens his pulpit to truth.”
Justice Delayed, Futures Denied
With courts currently convicting less than 10% of reported cases involving sexual abuse of minors, calls for judicial reform echoed throughout the event.
“We need more convictions,” said Opobo. “If perpetrators continue to walk free, the cycle of abuse will never end.”
A Future Rewritten: As Uganda continues to grapple with the harsh realities of teenage pregnancy, organizations like Remnant Generation are proving that change is possible not just through policy, but through compassion, courage, and community.
“This is not just a statistic,” Nakabiri reminded the audience. “It is a child. It is a daughter. It is a life made in the image of God.” (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
