Early pregnancies, child abuse worry Kaziimba

COVID-19 |

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu has decried the increasing domestic violence, early marriages, and pregnancies.

Kaziimba said the situation has been aggravated by the five-month lockdown.

The restrictions which left the churches and schools closed, Kaziimba said have set in a lot of setbacks such as early marriages, and pregnancies, among others.

"We express our serious concerns and reservation about this framework since it involves things that put the lives of our children and their future at great risk. Increased teenage pregnancies, homosexuality, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, single parenthood, defilement, domestic violence, and crime are brought about social instability," he said.

He added that since the closure of schools, "we are witnessing a shocking rise in abuse and violence again children, as well as increased cases of child labour and other harmful practices as families are driven further into poverty."

Kaziimba said that the number of calls made to the 116 national children has increased by 70% , demonstrating that children are increasingly suffering violence and abuse.

Kaziimba made the remarks while addressing Diocesan teachers under the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) in Kampala on Monday.

The event was attended by several education coordinators from different dioceses including Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican.

"This retreat has been timely in order to put our heads together to see how to resuscitate the morals of our children and families," Kazimba said.

 The prelate noted that the number of teenage pregnancies has almost doubled from 107 a month to 208.

Also, cases of defilement increased to 90% from five cases according to National Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

"We acknowledge all the government efforts and the personal commitment of his excellency, President Yoweri Museveni, to contain the COVID 19 pandemic. We appeal to the public to take individual responsibility to prevent the spread of the virus by complying with the general SOPs issued by the ministry of health."

Kaziimba also advised the government that schools reopening should be guided by the best interest of the children and overall public health considerations.

He called upon all school coordinators to take an active role in ensuring that schools meet and observe the set SOPs. "

"We welcome the efforts by the ministry of education and sports to re-open schools," said Kaziimba adding that the idea of a dead year is devastating to children.

"We would rather have schools opened and the academic year extended to march. Extending the academic year will help children deal with the fear of repeating a class."

The executive director of FENU, Fred Mwesigye said they organised the retreat to join hands in solving the problem facing diocesan schools and students.