CSO''S demand amendment of Children''s Act

By Paul Kiwuuwa and Henry Sekanjako

THE coalitions of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) want the Children Act 2015 to be amended to promote adoption within Uganda. This, they say, will reduce the rampant child trafficking in the country.

The object of the Bill is to amend the Children Act.59 to enhance the protection of children, provide for guardianship of children; improve inter-country adoption; prohibit corporal punishment and other related matters.

The CSOs led by Uganda Child Rights NGO Network(UCRNN) on Thursday told MPs on the Parliamentary committee on  Gender, Labour and Social Development that  stringent  laws  should be put in place to discourage inter-country adoption of children by foreigners, who expose children to exploitation and slavery under the guise of adopting them.

 The CSOs also want tougher laws to be enacted to punish parents and guardians who prescribe corporal punishments against children in homes.

Coalition Against Corporal Punishments, (CACP), Uganda Society for the Disabled (USDC) were among those that gave in their proposals to amend the Act.

The Gender committee is receiving proposals to amend the Children Act 2015 from different stake holders, upon recommendation from cabinet.  

Rose Mary Nauwant (Amudat Woman MP) who chaired the committee said her committee would accommodate all the CSOs’ proposals and forward them for debate on the floor of Parliament.