SOROTI, November 29, 2025 — Teenage mothers in Soroti district have received a new learning and skilling facility, the Awaliwal Training Centre, located in Amoroto B Village, Awaliwal Sub-county.
The Awaliwal Training Centre aims to empower young mothers with vocational skills including tailoring, knitting, weaving and garment cutting. Awaliwal Sub-county is home to more than 500 teenage mothers, many of whom face significant economic challenges.
Deborah Ameso, a teenage mother, recounted how she was forced to drop out of school in Senior Three after becoming pregnant during the COVID-19 lockdown. The father of her child disappeared, leaving her to face the consequences alone. Her parents, still upset over the situation, refused to support her return to school.
“I got bored during lockdown, got involved with a boy, and he left me with the pregnancy,” Ameso said.
She is grateful to Community Integrated Development Initiative [CIDI], the non-government organisation that set up the skilling centre, for helping her acquire tailoring skills, which, through their savings group, enabled her to save Shs 80,000. She invested the money in a goat, which has since produced four kids, boosting her small business.
“I can now take care of my child with the little money I earn from my skill, and I thank God for helping me,” she added.
Jemina Adong, another teenage mother, urged fellow young mums to keep pushing forward and not dwell on the past. She is proud that they are not only learning new skills but also mentoring others to avoid similar challenges.
Cornelius Malinga, the Sub-county Chief, stressed the importance of proper implementation to ensure the project achieves its goals.
Malinga described the Awaliwal Training Centre as a beacon of hope for young mothers who have faced setbacks. “This centre is more than just a place to learn skills — it is a chance to rewrite your story,” he said.
He encouraged the young mothers not to let their challenges define them but instead allow those experiences to fuel their determination as they pursue their dreams with all their strength.
Meanwhile, Samuel Enangu, the Vice Chairperson LCV Soroti district, highlighted the project’s timely arrival as a much-needed intervention to address teenage motherhood in the area.
Grace Arionget, a parent and resident of Awaliwal Sub-county, noted that many parents abandon their daughters who drop out of school due to pregnancy, but initiatives like this will give these young mothers a chance at a better life.
Samuel Musisi Lukanga, Team Leader at CIDI Soroti, expressed gratitude to partners supporting the initiative. “This is a golden opportunity to take the reins and shape your future,” he said.
He emphasised that this is a second chance for teenage mothers to take control of their lives and urged them not to waste it, encouraging the girls to learn, grow and empower themselves.
In Uganda, the rate of teenage pregnancy remains high at around 25 percent, with nearly 1,000 teenage girls conceiving every day as of November 2025.
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
