Soroti parents warned against underage marriages

Police in Soroti district has vowed to arrest parents and guardians who will marry off schoolgirls during holidays.

The statement comes as S4 students and P7 pupils head home for their vacations.

The regional Police spokesperson Michael Odongo noted with concern that cases of early marriages are high in the district during holidays especially in the months of December and January.

Odongo blamed parents for supporting and even pushing their children to drop out of school to get married.

He warned that they are going to work closely with the district leaders and other stakeholders to arrest the perpetuators.

Odongo appealed to members of the public to volunteer information on those impregnating and marrying schoolgirls for legal action to be taken against them.

John Calvin Elenyu the district secretary of education and health pledged support to Police to avert rampant cases of defilement. 

He however challenged parents and guardians not to allow children to roam in the pretext of visiting relatives.