Turning focus on the African Child

By Mathias Mazinga

WAKISO - NGOs operating in Ssabagabo Makindye sub-county (in Wakiso district) organised a day-long function to commemorate the Day of the African Child.

The function at Lufuka-Zana playground, Entebbe Road (Wakiso district) attracted hundreds of children from charitable schools/institutions like Seguku Primary School, Share the Love Children’s Home Zana, Ranch on Jesus Orphanage Ministries (Mutungo).

Others were from Pina Uganda (Ndejje-Lubugumu), St. Mary Kevin Lweza, Bertina Primary School (Seguku), Nippon Nursery and Primary School (Ndejje-Namasuba), Mildmay Uganda and Mambo Children’s Choir, Yesu Akwagala, from Kyamuliibwa, in Kalungu district.

During the celebrations, the affiliate choirs of the respective schools/institutions performed songs and drama/skits, which highlighted the grave problems faced by the children of Uganda and Africa.

The problems the children highlighted included, among others, defilement, ritual murders, ill-treatment by step-mothers/relatives, parental neglect, forced marriages and domestic violence.

The chief guest, Emmanuel Ssempala Kigozi Sajjalyabeene, condemned parents who force their daughters into early marriage.

His concerns were echoed by Hon Grace Kyamulabi, Sabagabo Makindye’s secretary for gender, who condemned fathers who defile their young daughters.

“How can you turn your daughter into your wife? How do you start to call her sweetheart? Please come back to your senses and behave like humans!”


(Photos by Mathias Mazinga)
 

Seguku Primary School kids in action. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

During the same function, a coalition of children’s charitable organisations working in Sabagabo Makindye sub-county (Sabagabo Makindye CSO Network) was launched and its founding chairperson, Ahmed Mwesige installed.

The function was also attended by the chairperson of Sabagabo Makindye, Gerald Lumbuye; the LC1 chairman of Lufuka Zone Bunnamwaya, Salongo Francis Musoke and the Probation/Welfare Officer of Wakiso District, Mary Nakazibwe, who asked the children’s NGOs to seek partnership with business people and companies, in order to provider better services.

The celebrations ran under the theme: 25 years after the adoption the African Children’s Charter - Time for action to end child marriages in Africa.

Background

The Day of the African Child is commemorated on June 16 by all member states of the African Union.

It is primarily observed in memory of the 1976 uprising in Soweto, South Africa, when a school children’s demonstration against apartheid-designed education resulted in the killing of these same unarmed protesters by the Police.

Today the Day of the African Child provides us with an opportunity to renew our commitment to the promotion of the rights of children and also to work harder to remove the conditions that threaten the fundamental rights of children.

The children march in commemmoration of the Day of the African Child
 

These youngsters from Mildmay Uganda perform

Amelia Tendo of Share the Love Children's Home presents a local song
 

Mambo Children's Choir in action
 

CSO Network chairperson Ahmed Mwesige delivers his speech

The children from Pina Uganda entertain guests

The mass ensemble from St. Mary's Kevin Lweza performs