It is women like Pamela who deserve the prize
Dec 22, 2009
EDITOR—I was deeply moved by the story of Pamela Ssenyonga who runs the Mwananchi programme on Top TV that was published in Bukedde ku Ssande on December 20. I commend her highly for her bravery in talking publicly about the terrible experience of gang
EDITOR—I was deeply moved by the story of Pamela Ssenyonga who runs the Mwananchi programme on Top TV that was published in Bukedde ku Ssande on December 20. I commend her highly for her bravery in talking publicly about the terrible experience of gang-rape that she was subjected to when she was only 13 years old—an experience from which she is still traumatised.
She is a devoted Christian and sings Christian music. I thought seriously about Pamela in light of the declaration about two weeks ago by the bishop of Mityana Diocese, the Rt Rev Dr Sam Kazimba, to give a prize of sh100,000 to any woman who weds when she is still a virgin. Obviously, the good bishop means well. Who would not like to encourage chastity before marriage? But come to think seriously about it, what message does such reward send to those like Pamela who lost their virginity following rape or what in Uganda is called ‘defilement’? And Pamela is not alone. There are many women out there who have suffered a similar fate. What healing is the Church providing for them? Aren’t women like Pamela the ones really deserving a prize?
Rev Amos Kasibante
United Kingdom
She is a devoted Christian and sings Christian music. I thought seriously about Pamela in light of the declaration about two weeks ago by the bishop of Mityana Diocese, the Rt Rev Dr Sam Kazimba, to give a prize of sh100,000 to any woman who weds when she is still a virgin. Obviously, the good bishop means well. Who would not like to encourage chastity before marriage? But come to think seriously about it, what message does such reward send to those like Pamela who lost their virginity following rape or what in Uganda is called ‘defilement’? And Pamela is not alone. There are many women out there who have suffered a similar fate. What healing is the Church providing for them? Aren’t women like Pamela the ones really deserving a prize?
Rev Amos Kasibante
United Kingdom