Violence in homes worries cardinal Wamala

May 13, 2015

His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala has shown concern about high levels of violence going on in the country especially domestic violence that has penetrated into families, tearing them apart

By Vivian Agaba                    

His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala has shown concern about high levels of violence going on in the country especially domestic violence that has penetrated into families, tearing them apart.


He said on a daily basis, there are stories and pictures in the media showing unpredicted violence by both the young and old in families, parents fighting against each other, children fighting against their parents and vice versa.

"It is sad there is violence of any kind in the world. It is also sad and worrying to see people fight against one another especially in families often. Those fights destroy and break families apart. To have peaceful families and a peaceful country, it is very important to desist from violence and use dialogue to solve all problems," said Cardinal Wamala.

He added: "This is an occasion to learn, reflect and decide that you are born leaders to fight against violence not only between selves but any kind of violence so that you live in peaceful homes and communities," advised his eminence.



Youth acting a play on domestic violence at Sharing Youth Centre in Nsambya. PHOTO/Godiver Asege

He was addressing the young Xaverians during the National Action campaign on stopping violence by the Catholic Church through Uganda Xaverian Movement at Sharing Youth Centre in Nsambya on Monday

The two - day campaign that attracted over 500 Xaverians from five dioceses of Lira, Hoima, Mbarara, Kampala and Kiyinda- Mityana was organized by  Uganda Xaverian Movement under the theme "Stopping Interpersonal Violence to enable children and youngsters live and grow in a healthy environment,".

At the centre, Music, Dance and Drama competitions on non-violence between different dioceses were performed as a tool to enlighten the youth about the dangers of violence.

Wamala said words are the foundation story of any kind of violence:  "Violence starts with words, then angers flare, people begin boxing and harming one another to the extent that some kill each other," he said

Adding that "But why should children or any other people fight against each other?

He asked the youth to make promises, decisions and resolutions individually that they are going to refrain from violent acts and also teach others including parents to refrain from use of violence and instead opt for dialogue as the best solution to solving problems.

"I have concern for the youth, this is your century. It is time when you build or destroy the world. However, it is important that you have secessions of this kind where by the young generation are educated about the dangers of any kind of violence so that they desist from it and choose peace that shall build the country and world," he noted. 

Fr. Simon Jude Kanyike, National Chaplain, Uganda Xaverian Movement said there are alternatives to solving problems than resorting to violence and engaging children as agents of peace will create impact in communities.

"The world is so full of violence creating more problems than solutions. While conflicts will always be there, we have to instill in children the spirit of using dialogue, arbitration, building a culture of peace among them so that they are agents of peace and can transform communities in which they hail from thus building peaceful generations ," said Kanyike.

Ben Kiwanuka, National Coordinator, Xaveri Uganda said that end of last year, the movement carried out a survey about all forms of violence in the 18 dioceses countrywide, interviewing 50 Xaverians per diocese and findings indicate that domestic violence is the most outstanding form of violence the children face especially from relatives and parents and are scared to report such cases to authorities
 

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