Uganda commemorates African child day
Jun 16, 2010
THE Day of the African Child was celebrated yesterday with children demanding that the Government stops playing lip-service to issues that undermine their welfare and protection.
By Henry Mukasa
THE Day of the African Child was celebrated yesterday with children demanding that the Government stops playing lip-service to issues that undermine their welfare and protection.
In a memorandum, the children listed problems that affect their education, health and protection.
The message was read at the national celebrations held at the works ministry grounds in Entebbe, Wakiso district.
“What angers most of us is that many of our problems are caused by our parents, who are supposed to protect us,†the children said. The message was read out by Moses Makumbi and Ruth Nanjobe, both pupils of Entebbe Christian School.
Under education, the children complained of corporal punishment, sexual abuse, over-crowding in UPE schools, lack of scholastic materials, poor sanitation, lack of trained teachers and counsellors, and poor performance.
They also listed the continued charging of fees and non-provision of lunch in UPE schools.
On health, the children observed that medical staff and drugs are missing in most health centres and that most health facilities are not easily accessible.
They lamented that child battering and defilement, and cultures that allow early marriages and female genital mutilation persist.
The children said the situation is worsened by “the new trend of alcoholic parents who return home past midnight.†They also urged parents to be faithful to curb broken marriages.
“For the last three years, we have been attending the African Child Day celebrations and raising these problems and challenges but no action has been taken,†the children said.
The Government, the children added, should enforce the laws on child protection, to deter child trafficking and sacrifice.
“The Government should re-arrest and imprison Kato Kajubi for life to send a message to those who violate children’s rights.â€
Kajubi, a Kampala businessman, was last year accused of killing Joseph Kasirye, 12, in a ritual murder. He was, however, acquitted by the High Court in Masaka over technical issues.
Youth and child affairs minister Jessica Alupo said since children cannot influence policy change, it is the role of the Government and civil society to protect them.
She said out of the 30 million Ugandans, 16 million are children. Alupo explained that two million children are orphans, while six million are vulnerable children. She added that most of the vulnerable children are labourers, on the streets or in war-zones.
The minister blamed illiteracy, abject poverty, low investment in key sectors such as agriculture, education and health, and armed conflict for the children’s plight.
THE Day of the African Child was celebrated yesterday with children demanding that the Government stops playing lip-service to issues that undermine their welfare and protection.
In a memorandum, the children listed problems that affect their education, health and protection.
The message was read at the national celebrations held at the works ministry grounds in Entebbe, Wakiso district.
“What angers most of us is that many of our problems are caused by our parents, who are supposed to protect us,†the children said. The message was read out by Moses Makumbi and Ruth Nanjobe, both pupils of Entebbe Christian School.
Under education, the children complained of corporal punishment, sexual abuse, over-crowding in UPE schools, lack of scholastic materials, poor sanitation, lack of trained teachers and counsellors, and poor performance.
They also listed the continued charging of fees and non-provision of lunch in UPE schools.
On health, the children observed that medical staff and drugs are missing in most health centres and that most health facilities are not easily accessible.
They lamented that child battering and defilement, and cultures that allow early marriages and female genital mutilation persist.
The children said the situation is worsened by “the new trend of alcoholic parents who return home past midnight.†They also urged parents to be faithful to curb broken marriages.
“For the last three years, we have been attending the African Child Day celebrations and raising these problems and challenges but no action has been taken,†the children said.
The Government, the children added, should enforce the laws on child protection, to deter child trafficking and sacrifice.
“The Government should re-arrest and imprison Kato Kajubi for life to send a message to those who violate children’s rights.â€
Kajubi, a Kampala businessman, was last year accused of killing Joseph Kasirye, 12, in a ritual murder. He was, however, acquitted by the High Court in Masaka over technical issues.
Youth and child affairs minister Jessica Alupo said since children cannot influence policy change, it is the role of the Government and civil society to protect them.
She said out of the 30 million Ugandans, 16 million are children. Alupo explained that two million children are orphans, while six million are vulnerable children. She added that most of the vulnerable children are labourers, on the streets or in war-zones.
The minister blamed illiteracy, abject poverty, low investment in key sectors such as agriculture, education and health, and armed conflict for the children’s plight.