Children stuck in Amuria camps
Sep 15, 2010
Hundreds of child families in the sub-counties of Obalanga and Kapelebyong in Amuria district are still stuck in camps after failing to locate the ancestral homes of their late parents.
BY SIMON EMWAMU
Hundreds of child families in the sub-counties of Obalanga and Kapelebyong in Amuria district are still stuck in camps after failing to locate the ancestral homes of their late parents.
James Engemu, the Obalanga sub-county LC5 councillor, said there are over 300 child- headed families in the two sub-counties. “Most of their parents were killed by the Karimojong warriors, while others died of HIV/AIDS before they could be shown land belonging to them,†he said.
Engemu said the few who know their ancestral backgrounds lack funds to construct simple huts for shelter. Speaking to New Vision at Amuria district headquarters last week, Engemu described the condition under which the children are living as pathetic, saying the Government should address their plight.
“I call on the public and those who know the background of these children to help them re-settle on their land instead of grabbing it,†Engemu said. He said in Obalanga camp, several children had died of pneumonia and malaria as a result of poor shelter.
He added that some are starving following the reduced supply of rations by the Government and other stakeholders that previously supported the people in the camps. Engemu said the few older ones, who were previously at school, have opted to drop out in order to take care of their younger siblings.
Hundreds of child families in the sub-counties of Obalanga and Kapelebyong in Amuria district are still stuck in camps after failing to locate the ancestral homes of their late parents.
James Engemu, the Obalanga sub-county LC5 councillor, said there are over 300 child- headed families in the two sub-counties. “Most of their parents were killed by the Karimojong warriors, while others died of HIV/AIDS before they could be shown land belonging to them,†he said.
Engemu said the few who know their ancestral backgrounds lack funds to construct simple huts for shelter. Speaking to New Vision at Amuria district headquarters last week, Engemu described the condition under which the children are living as pathetic, saying the Government should address their plight.
“I call on the public and those who know the background of these children to help them re-settle on their land instead of grabbing it,†Engemu said. He said in Obalanga camp, several children had died of pneumonia and malaria as a result of poor shelter.
He added that some are starving following the reduced supply of rations by the Government and other stakeholders that previously supported the people in the camps. Engemu said the few older ones, who were previously at school, have opted to drop out in order to take care of their younger siblings.