Teen mothers urged to embrace vocational training, shun prostitution

Teenage mothers in Jinja city have been urged to take on vocational training in order to sustain themselves, rather than resorting to prostitution. 

The Jinja North city deputy Resident City Commissioner, Mr Juma Kigongo, said unemployment among youth exposes them to criminal activities, with girls embracing prostitution, and boys joining machete-wielding gangs.

Mr Kigongo, while handing over an assortment of vocational training equipment to HETA Vocational Grounds in Wanyange, Jinja North City Division, from MTN Uganda, noted that unemployment among the youths can be reduced by encouraging them to take on hairdressing, tailoring and catering services. 

“This training of girls in hands-on skills will stop some of them from engaging in prostitutions in the city. If you don’t know anything to do using your hands, it is very dangerous given the current situation where there are limited jobs,” said Mr Kigongo.

At the same event, five students graduated in tailoring, including 19-year-old mother Jessica Kisakye, who is expecting her second baby within a week.

On Friday, Ms Kisakye said she conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic while in Senior Six; however, the person responsible for the pregnancy stood by her and took her for tailoring. “I have a sewing machine to establish my own workshop,” she said.

The Director of HETA Vocational Grounds, Ms Hellen Kirunda, said the students are mothers ranging from 30 and 40 years of age, adding that she hopes to expand the vocational training offerings to nine other districts in Busoga sub-region.

MTN Uganda’s Head of Commercial-Eastern Region, Mr Allan Njagala, said limitations of such equipment has constrained both the learning velocity and the volume of commerciall  garments.

The equipment, valued at Shs20m, is expected to drastically enhance operational efficiency, and foster higher income opportunities for learners.