By Patience Ampaire
Statistics from Lyantonde district show that there is an increase in child marriages and teenage pregnancies-Swift Daily News reports exclusively.
According to the report inked by the District Probation Officer, Mr Kamugasha Andrew Timothy, 829 children under 18yrs were forced into early marriages while 2173 children got pregnancies through defilement in the last seven years.
”In the 2022 report, there were 525 cases of teenage pregnancies and 218 cases of early marriages. But of course, total cases are higher than these read here because some victims fail to report to the police for records to be captured,” said Kamugasha.
He said teenage pregnancies are increasing because of child neglect, peer group among other factors.
The above statistics were read at the launch of an underground water system at Kyabuuza Moslem Secondary School in Lyantonde Town Council, where the school’s H/teacher Mr. Mbabali Suraiman cautioned parents to stop the habit of forcing their children into early marriages for financial gains.
”Some Muslims want to force their children into early marriages before they lose their virginity since this is a pride of our girls, others target money. It’s wrong, just keep a keen eye on your child so that she can stay virgin but also goes on with her studies for a better future,” Mbabali cautioned parents.
The same message was emphasized by the District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Pauline Kemirembe Kyaka who was also the chief guest at the function advised the young girls to avoid strangers who promise them love.
Pauline commended the good discipline of Kyabuuza students, noting that there are rare cases of dropouts. To parents, she advised them to embrace the spirit of educating girls rather than forcing them into marriage for financial gains.
Mr Mbabali praised Hon Pauline revealing that she contributed Ugx16 million for the construction of 5 classrooms, 55 iron sheets for the roofing of the girls’ dormitory, and 178 iron sheets for the mosque project.
Male Paul Kyateeka who represented the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at the function thanked the vision bearers of the school that has so far impacted hundreds of Ugandans especially those from Lyantonde district.
He cautioned students to focus on their studies and stop wasting their parents’ money. ”Education is a sacrifice if you don’t want to study then stop lying to people and wasting your parent’s money.”
Mbetegyerize Godfrey, the District Resident Commissioner (RDC), thanked the school management especially the headteacher and board of governors for impacting the children of the nation.
Kyabuuza Moslem Secondary School is the only Islamic school in Lyantonde district. It accommodates over 470 students both boys and girls, day and boarding.
