Shock has gripped residents of Kinyabwamba-Kahembe village in Kitswamba Sub-county, Kasese district after a senior student of Hima Progressive High School in Hima Town Council was hiding with her newly born in the bush.
The teenager reportedly gave birth to a baby girl last Thursday and hid her in the shrubs next to her home. She successfully hid her pregnancy from both the school authorities and her parents.
It is alleged that a 35-year-old man identified as Willy Biswalima who has since fled to Kampala is behind the pregnancy. She got pregnant in August last year but feared to inform her parents because she was scared of their reaction.
The minor revealed that after self-delivery in the bush she would feed the baby water mixed with sugar before heading for classes in the morning and return at break time to breastfeed it.
However, her luck ran out on Sunday morning when her grandfather heard the baby crying from the bush and alerted local leaders and other residents.
The girl’s mother, Ellen Biira explained that she did not notice her daughter's pregnancy and was shocked when the daughter claimed the baby immediately after it was discovered.
According to Patience Keren the Acting head teacher for Hima Progressive High School, they are ready to offer support to the teenager to continue with her studies. She added that they want the teenager to become an example to encourage other learners who could have produced to appreciate that their situation should not be an end to their dreams.
The teenager and her baby are currently at Kinyabwamba Health center III undergoing examination for possible complications during and after delivery.