Social media eroding morals, parents urged to take lead in guiding children
“From January to date, we have had about 16 workplace cases of sexual harassment reported, investigated, and closed. At the community level, three cases have been confirmed after a large-scale investigation in Nakaseke involving 108 girls,” Murungi revealed.
Dr. Moses Muwanga, the Assistant Commissioner for palliative care at the Ministry of Health speaking during the launch of the campaign on the Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) in Buikwe. (Credit: Violet Nabatanzi)
BUIKWE - Parents have been urged to lead in shaping the morals of their children as the influence of social media continues to erode traditional family and community morals.
Buikwe District deputy chief administrative officer (CAO) Peter Gidongo Wasangami says the increasing exposure to indecent content online reflects a deeper moral crisis within homes and communities.
“What we see on social media today is a reflection of the breakdown of family and community moral systems that used to shape society,” he says.
Gidongo stressed that the responsibility of raising morally upright children should not be left to schools alone.
“Parents must take charge. Schools alone cannot shape the morals of children. Their values are built around their religious beliefs, communities, and homes,” he emphasised.
His remarks come at a time when experts have raised concern over the growing trend of sharing nude photos and explicit messages on social media, a behaviour linked to rising cases of sexual harassment and exploitation.
According to Irene Murungi, the senior technical advisor for Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) at The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), the circulation of nude images often leads to manipulation and abuse.
“Whenever people share nude pictures, they often use them to entice or exploit the other party,” Murungi said.
She warned that many young people end up being blackmailed or humiliated after their private images are leaked, leading to emotional distress and stigma.
Murungi noted that technology has introduced a new dimension to sexual abuse, especially among young people and students.
“We have realised that as people enjoy using their phones, they are taking and sharing nude pictures and provocative messages. While enjoying their digital rights, people must also remember their responsibility not to harm others or expose vulnerable individuals such as children to indecent content,” she emphasised.
The campaign, on PSEAH, which is being implemented by TASO with support from the Country Co-ordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund, is currently being rolled out in Nakaseke and Buikwe districts and will soon be launched in Hoima district.
Lucy Otto, the assistant commissioner Family Affairs Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, speaking during the launch of the campaign on the Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) in Buikwe. (Credit: Violet Nabatanzi)
Speaking during the launch of PSEAH campaign in Buikwe on October 22, 2025, Peace Kibeedi, the Magistrate Grade One at Njeru Magistrate’s Court, explained that sharing nude photos without consent is an offence under the Computer Misuse Act.
The magistrate added that such actions fall under offences like cyberharassment or offensive communication, which carry penalties of up to three years in prison or a fine.
Kibeedi cautioned that once one gets involved in such acts and the content circulates, it becomes a legal matter that can be traced back to the offender.
Statistics
Murungi noted that TASO is currently supporting 15 organisations to scale up this initiative.
“From January to date, we have had about 16 workplace cases of sexual harassment reported, investigated, and closed. At the community level, three cases have been confirmed after a large-scale investigation in Nakaseke involving 108 girls,” she revealed.
In Buikwe district from January to date, a total of 10 defilement cases, 12 forced marriages, 10 juvenile cases, and 68 domestic violence cases have been reported.
Dr Moses Muwanga, the assistant commissioner for palliative care at the Ministry of Health, appealed to young girls and boys to report any incidents of sexual harassment.
He also urged young people to wait for the right time to engage in sex, adding that sexual exploitation has severe effects, including HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer.
“We are seeing many cases of cervical cancer affecting young girls,” he said.
Lucy Otto, the assistant commissioner Family Affairs, said 'when a woman, a young girl, or a man is forced to exchange sex for food, medical care, or a job, that is exploitation. When power is abused, when voices are silenced by fear, or when harassment becomes normalised, our values are violated.'