Local leaders, district officials join residents to fight child abuse

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Budaka district officials, local leaders, security personnel and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) joined residents of Budaka town to launch a massive campaign against child abuse.

The event happened on Friday October 25, 2024 at Budaka Saza grounds under the theme; Ending Violence against children.

It was also supported by Heroes for Gender Transformative Action and MIFUMI, a women's rights organization that strives to protect women and children’s rights.

Meanwhile, about 500 people first marched through Budaka town and the neighboring villages while carrying placards with bold messages emphasizing children’s rights and protection. They also warned perpetrators against the dire consequences of torturing children.

Syrus Owor, a legal officer with MIFUMI says, the campaign follows a distressing story of a young girl Anna Maria Twanza who was battered by her uncle and he ended up damaging her spine. This irked the residents and they rose up to fight child abuse.

Twanza was hit with an iron bar by her uncle for attending a night party.

The 14-year-old reels with immense pain. She also can’t ease herself normally yet she lives with her frail grandmother in Namengo village in Budaka district. Twanza is in primary four.

She was first referred to MIFUMI shelter in March 2024 according to Owor. They took her to different specialists who after examination declared that she will never walk again because the injury resulted in transection of her spinal cord.   

“We reported the matter to Budaka Central Police Station. After the conclusion of the investigations, we proceeded to Budaka Chief Magistrate Court,” Cyrus Owor says adding that the uncle was sentenced to five years at Budaka prisons.

Budaka residents rose up to protect children. (Credit: Ritah Mukasa)

Let’s all protect children

Wilson Waina Duwa, Budaka sub county chairperson says there are many cases of violence against women and children mostly perpetrated by drunk husbands. However, he says, MIFUMI’s relentless campaigns against domestic violence have helped to sensitize communities about the dire consequences of child abuse. He added that Twanza’s uncle should act as an example to the rest.

In the same vein, Aloysius Kwiri head of Agali Amo initiative called for more awareness saying CBOs should be given a platform at all functions to sensitize people about children rights. He also turned to local councils and tasked them to pass by laws that protect children.

On her side, Hajjirah Gimbo, probation and welfare officer with Budaka district local government attributed the high cases of child abuse to parental negligence saying some parents don’t know how to handle their children. When children make small mistakes, they are beaten like animals. She warned such parents to stop child abuse or face the long arm of the law.

On the other hand, the event was also attended by Khanifa Mugale Budaka, Senior Education Officer (SEO) Felista Mpindi, District Community Development Officer (DCDO), Hellen Wanyenze, Assistant District Health Officer (DHO), officer Juliet Erubi from the criminal Investigation Department, Mugolo Richard the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Steven Magadya, Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) among others.