ANPPCAN Condemns Luweero Marriage
The African Network for Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Uganda Chapter has condemned a recent marriage in Butuntumula sub-county, Luweero district,writes <b>Fred Ouma.</b>
The African Network for Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) Uganda Chapter has condemned a recent marriage in Butuntumula sub-county, Luweero district,writes Fred Ouma.
Deogratius Yiga, the programme director, described it as child marriage, saying it is illegal and contemptuous of various national and international policies protecting child rights.
“It counteracts all efforts by the Government to provide the girl-child with a bright future, particularly through Universal Primary Education and the women emancipation movement,†Yiga said in a statement issued on Friday.
Luweero Police stormed Alamanzani Nkugwa’s bedroom, two days after he allegedly took up a fourteen-year-old girl as his wife.
He had reportedly paid sh10,000 as bride price.
Muslim religious leaders and local councillors, amidst community jubilation of over 300 people, graced the marriage.
Yiga said the act contravenes the UN convention that protects the rights of children and the African Charter on the rights and welfare of children, of which Uganda is a signatory and enshrined in the Constitution of 1995.
He said the Children's Statute of 1996 and the Penal Code provide for protection of children from harmful socio-cultural practices such as marriage.
Yiga criticised those who attended the wedding, saying it was a violation of children’s rights.
He called for the protection of children’s rights.
Ends
Deogratius Yiga, the programme director, described it as child marriage, saying it is illegal and contemptuous of various national and international policies protecting child rights.
“It counteracts all efforts by the Government to provide the girl-child with a bright future, particularly through Universal Primary Education and the women emancipation movement,†Yiga said in a statement issued on Friday.
Luweero Police stormed Alamanzani Nkugwa’s bedroom, two days after he allegedly took up a fourteen-year-old girl as his wife.
He had reportedly paid sh10,000 as bride price.
Muslim religious leaders and local councillors, amidst community jubilation of over 300 people, graced the marriage.
Yiga said the act contravenes the UN convention that protects the rights of children and the African Charter on the rights and welfare of children, of which Uganda is a signatory and enshrined in the Constitution of 1995.
He said the Children's Statute of 1996 and the Penal Code provide for protection of children from harmful socio-cultural practices such as marriage.
Yiga criticised those who attended the wedding, saying it was a violation of children’s rights.
He called for the protection of children’s rights.
Ends