0ver 600 children defiled each month countrywide

National

0ver 600 children defiled each month countrywidePublish Date: Mar 21, 2013

ANPPCAN research coordinator Ruth Birungi flanked by Information officer Maron Agaba at a news conference. Photo by Wilfred Sanya

newvision

By Wilfred Sanya

Children rights body, ANPPCAN Uganda has asked the Government to constitute a commission of inquiry into the rising cases of defilement and other vices.

The research coordinator, Ruth Birungi pointed out that the rate at which children’s rights are violated calls for the government’s immediate action.

“Last year 2012 we had 742 cases of defilement. Between 2009 and 2011 police received 22,614 defilement cases. At least 628 children are defiled per month country wide,” Birungi said.

She told a news conference in Kampala on Thursday that despite the fact that the penal code Act section 2129 that was amended to include tough sanctions like death penalty for the perpetrators of defilement, judicial officers continue to hand out light sentences.

In Arua a deputy teacher of a secondary school is on remand for defiling a 17 year old pupil. Many cases of defilement are lost due to lack of proof of the age of the victims, she noted.

The statements, comments, or opinions expressed through the use of New Vision Online are those of their respective authors, who are solely responsible for them, and do not necessarily represent the views held by the staff and management of New Vision Online.

New Vision Online reserves the right to moderate, publish or delete a post without warning or consultation with the author.Find out why we moderate comments. For any questions please contact digital@newvision.co.ug

blog comments powered by Disqus

Also In This Section

8 inmates escape from Mityana prison

The police in Mubende are hunting for eight prisoners, who escaped from Muyinayina prison....

May coffee exports rise 56 percent

Uganda's coffee exports rose 56 percent in the year to May, after farmers sold huge volumes to prevent further losses as prices for the bean tumbled....

Mulago gets new oxygen concentrator machine