'4 in 10 children in southwestern Uganda stunted'

Nearly four in every 10 children in southwestern Uganda are stunted, a regional forum on the State of the Ugandan Child has heard.

The revelation was part of the statistics presented by various stakeholders who attended the over 250-delegate forum at Lake View Resort Hotel in Mbarara to discuss the needs of children in adversity.

At the same meeting, it was also revealed that the under-five mortality rate in southwestern Uganda is 128 per 1000 live births, much higher than the national average.

In the same region, 12% of youth were found to become sexually active before age 15. Statistics also showed that 70% of the pupils who started Primary One in 2008 never made it to Primary Seven in 2014.

The United States Government, in partnership with the Government of Uganda and Mbarara district local government, hosted the fourth Regional Forum on the State of the Ugandan Child.

The forum put a special focus on the challenges faced by children in this part of the country. Previous regional forums were held in Gulu, Mbale, and Arua.

The forum brought together participants from both the public and private sectors, including district and local government officials, teachers, child rights advocates, civil society organizations, religious leaders, development partners, media and other key stakeholders.

Mbarara Municipality LC V Chairman Mr. Deus Tumusiime opened the event. The Director of USAID's Economic Growth Office, Ms. Jo Lesser- Oltheten, called on all stakeholders at various levels to become champions in the transformational shift that is necessary for Uganda's children to thrive, and to ensure that no child is left behind.

The one-day forum followed the National Forum on the State of the Ugandan Child, held in October 2015 in Munyonyo, Kampala.

"Regional forums aim to create a shared understanding of the needs of children in adversity, especially girls, and to mobilize stakeholders on issues of child well-being within the regional context," a statement from the US embassy said.

Key presentations by child rights advocates from southwestern Uganda highlighted challenges to child development in the areas of health, nutrition, girls' education, and child labour.

Like in other areas where the forum has taken place, participants at the Mbarara meet pledged their commitment to support the draft National Action Plan for Child Well-being in their region and in Uganda as a whole.

The draft National Action Plan seeks to provide a clear direction for collective efforts to build a Uganda in which all children can survive, grow and develop to their full potential.