'Join hands in combating early marriages'

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Parents in Masindi district and the wider Bunyoro sub-region have been urged to join hands in combating the growing problem of early marriages.

The appeal was made on Sunday by Sherifah Nabule, founder of the Safe Path Mothers Foundation, a community-based organisation operating in Masindi district. 

She was speaking during the commemoration of Mother's Day at Masindi Hospital.

Nabule said early marriage endangers the future of young girls and contributes to a rise in domestic violence within communities.

She also urged parents to reintegrate young mothers into learning institutions, saying that some parents actively support early marriages and make no effort to return their children to school once they become pregnant.

According to Nabule, pregnancy during school years does not mark the end of a child's educational journey. She emphasised that such girls still have a bright future if given a chance to resume their studies.

The day’s events also included a charity run, free HIV testing, and a blood donation drive led by the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services.

Joshua Kasangaki, a blood donation mobiliser from Hoima Regional Blood Bank, appealed to the public to support blood donation efforts, noting that the regional bank requires at least 2,500 units of blood each month.

By midday, 40 units of blood had been collected at the event.