Youth in Fort Portal and Kabarole district have revealed that lack of knowledge on the Reproductive Health and sex education has led to increased cases of pregnancies and HIV/AIDS among the youth especially those in primary and secondary schools.

This was during a Youth Dialogue organized by PLANE at Kahinju Primary School, West division, Fort Portal municipality.

They observed the need for sexual reproductive Education and counseling to be introduced in schools and where they exist should be enhanced.

17-year-old Anet Tusiime a senior three student of Kahinju secondary said if sexual education was enhanced in schools, cases of unwanted pregnancies would not be heard of because of awareness.

Kato Joshua a student of Mpanga Secondary school observed the need for schools to have sexual reproductive health education and counseling conducted at least thrice a week.

This, according to Kato will enable the students get the knowledge of how they will prevent certain diseases and unwanted pregnancies that are reported on the increase in among students.

Gloria Kyokuhaire a 16-year-old student of Fort Portal secondary school said their teachers were harassing them whenever they approach them for counseling and ask questions about reproductive health.

The Director PLATFORM for the NEEDY (PLANE) Steven Ainganiza advised the students to avoid bad peer groups in which they learn bad behaviors like smoking, drinking alcohol and early sex.

He encouraged them to read their books hard and consider education as vital if they are to have a brighter future.

He asked them to avoid early sex and marriages because it leads to unwanted pregnancies, dropping out of school and a miserable future life.

He also advised them to always listen to the radio drama skits on Voice of Tooro where they usually address issues of domestic violence, reproductive health and HIV /AIDS.