MPs pushing for probe into sexual harassment

By Joyce Namutebi

Perturbed by reports of sexual harassment of female athletes in Kapchorwa District by a male coach, women Members of Parliament are demanding for investigation into the matter and the culprit brought to book.

“As UWOPA (Uganda Women Parliamentary Association) we are condemning this act by the coach. He has abused his position of authority by sexually harassing the girls,” the chairperson, Betty Amongi told journalists at a press conference at Parliament Buildings.

She said they had secured space on the Order Paper of Parliament to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs to make a clear statement giving a time frame within which the investigations would be concluded.

The MPs, she said, would also put the minister to task to explain why the suspect has not been arrested.

Of recent, the media has been awash with allegations that a male coach sexually harassed female runners who were preparing for the Africa Cross Country championships in Kapchorwa.

Amongi commended the captain, Moses Kipsiro for exposing the rot and called upon the Uganda Athletics Federation to ensure that he is not victimised for doing so. The young runners are said to have confided in Kipsiro about what they were going through. She also commended Kapchorwa district chairperson, Sam Cheptoris for coming out to expose the coach and for demanding full investigation.