KAMPALA: Members of Parliament have warned that climate change is quietly worsening Uganda’s sexual and reproductive health crisis, as prolonged droughts, food insecurity and loss of household income leave women and girls increasingly vulnerable to teenage pregnancy, school dropout, gender based violence and sexually transmitted infections.
The legislators said climate change can no longer be treated solely as an environmental issue, arguing that its effects are increasingly being felt in homes, schools, health facilities and communities.
The MPs were speaking during an orientation organised by Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) for members of the 12th Parliament on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality and the growing connection between climate change and reproductive health.
RHU Executive Director Jackson Chekweko said climate change and sexual and reproductive health are closely connected because disruptions to livelihoods, food supplies and household incomes can expose vulnerable populations to greater health and social risks.
“Climate change is affecting people’s livelihoods, and when livelihoods are disrupted, women, girls and other vulnerable groups face increased reproductive health risks,” Chekweko said.
He said climate related displacement, poverty and disruption of household incomes can make it harder for families to access health services while increasing vulnerability to teenage pregnancy, gender based violence and other social challenges.
Chekweko said Uganda’s teenage pregnancy burden remains worrying, with about one in four adolescents aged 15 to 19 affected by pregnancy.
He challenged Parliament to use its legislative, oversight and budgetary powers to tackle the interconnected challenges.
How drought and food insecurity are putting girls at risk
Christine Lanyero Awany, Woman Member of Parliament for Nwoya District, said the effects of climate change are already being felt by families in her constituency.
She said prolonged heat and changing weather patterns can make it difficult for families to work in their gardens, reducing household incomes and affecting children’s education.
“When parents’ crops are destroyed and they cannot pay school fees, some children drop out and may become vulnerable to negative peer influence, early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections,” Awany said.
She also blamed environmental degradation for worsening climate pressures, saying communities continue to cut trees for firewood and charcoal without adequately replacing them.
Awany pledged to sensitise her constituents about climate change and encourage tree planting while promoting alternatives to environmentally destructive household energy practices.
Sylvia Damba Katooko, Woman Member of Parliament for Kibuku District, said prolonged droughts have disrupted traditional farming seasons and increased food insecurity and malnutrition.
She said women and children often bear the greatest burden when food becomes scarce, with some mothers sacrificing their own nutrition to feed their children.
Katooko linked food insecurity to school dropout, gender based violence and other social pressures affecting families.
She pledged to promote climate smart agriculture, better food storage and food security while advocating for climate friendly legislation.
“Women rise up. Let’s fight this monster,” she said, urging women to take a leading role in climate action.
MPs demand action on menstrual health and reproductive cancers
The legislators also called for increased investment in sexual and reproductive health services, including menstrual health and reproductive cancer prevention.
They recommitted themselves to pushing for the National Health Insurance scheme to be passed by Cabinet and enacted into law.
The MPs also raised concern about the high cost of menstrual hygiene products and taxation on materials used in their production.
Chekweko said legislators emphasised that menstrual hygiene products should be affordable and accessible to every woman and girl, including adolescents and women in prisons.
The MPs further called for stronger interventions against reproductive health cancers and pledged to promote cancer screening and community sensitisation.
Chekweko said government should increase investment in civil society organisations and other implementing partners that can extend health services to communities beyond public health facilities.
Uganda needs Shs902 billion for maternal and child health
Dr Richard Mugahi, Commissioner for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health, said Uganda has made progress in expanding health infrastructure but must now address gaps in staffing, knowledge, attitudes and utilisation of health services.
Mugahi said about 85 percent of Uganda’s population can access a health centre within five kilometres, but cautioned that physical access alone does not guarantee better health outcomes.
He urged leaders to promote family planning using language communities can easily understand, including the term “healthy child spacing”, particularly when engaging highly religious communities.
Uganda records about two million births every year, Mugahi said, warning that the health system requires significant investment to safely care for mothers and newborns.
He said the Ministry of Health estimates that approximately Shs902 billion will be required over five years to address gaps in reproductive, maternal and child health.
Mugahi also raised concern about the shortage and workload of midwives.
He said Uganda has about 8,000 midwives, with approximately 7,300 working in government service, but their workload remains above recommended levels.
He called on MPs and civil society organisations to strengthen advocacy for increased investment in reproductive and maternal health.
MPs want climate change included in reproductive health planning
John Bagoole, MP for Luuka County North, said climate change should be integrated into reproductive health planning rather than treated as a separate policy issue.
He argued that reproductive health extends beyond access to condoms and health facilities and must also consider the social, economic and environmental conditions affecting families.
Bagoole called for greater environmental protection, arguing that healthy ecosystems can help communities withstand pressures affecting livelihoods and health.
Angella Akoth Nzokire, Woman Member of Parliament for Tororo District, said MPs must help communities make informed decisions about sexual and reproductive health while adapting to climate change.
She said legislators should support families to keep children in school, improve access to family planning and promote climate smart practices such as tree planting and smart agriculture.
Youth unemployment and unpaid care work raise concern
Judith Mutabazi, Manager for Population and Social Planning at the National Planning Authority, said sexual and reproductive health, gender equality and population issues are already linked to national and district development planning.
She said keeping children in school longer can delay pregnancy and give young people more opportunities to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Mutabazi said youth unemployment stands at about 13 percent, compared with about six percent nationally, warning that young people need access to SRHR information and services if they are to participate productively in the economy.
She also highlighted the burden of unpaid care work, saying women spend about 6.6 hours a day on unpaid care work, compared with about five hours for men.
She called for gender responsive budgeting and greater use of data to identify underfunded priorities.
Mutabazi said Parliament’s authority to approve budgets and exercise oversight gives MPs an opportunity to ensure that reproductive health, gender equality and climate interventions receive adequate resources.
She also urged leaders to address child marriage, teenage pregnancy, gender based violence, poverty and unequal access to reproductive health services.
RHU challenges Parliament to turn promises into action
The MPs committed themselves to taking climate and reproductive health messages back to their constituencies through community sensitisation and other local communication platforms.
They also called for greater public awareness about reproductive cancers and the importance of early screening.
Chekweko said RHU and its civil society partners would continue working with Parliament and government ministries to provide evidence, technical support and community level services.
He said RHU, which will celebrate 70 years of existence next year, operates sexual and reproductive health clinics for young people in different parts of Uganda and works with the Ministries of Health, Education and Gender on policy and service delivery.
Chekweko urged the 12th Parliament to move beyond declarations and ensure that commitments are translated into budgets, policies and measurable action.
He said climate change must become part of Uganda’s reproductive health conversation because its effects are already being felt through food insecurity, disrupted livelihoods, displacement, school dropout and increased vulnerability among women and girls.
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