UGANDA: Bishop Wanok Appeals for Prompt Enforcement of Laws to Protect Children from Abuses

Deacon Isaac Ojok

The Bishop of Lira Diocese Rt. Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok has implored the Legislators and other policy implementers ensure that the existing laws are promptly enforced to help punish perpetrators of child abuse in the community.

He made the exhortation during the time when several members of Parliament and other leaders in Lango sub-region are castigating and condemning the numerous cases of child abuse in the region.

The members of Parliament during the visit of His Excellency Luigi Bianco the Papal Nuncio in Uganda to Lira Diocese raised issues of teenage pregnancy, child marriage and other forms of child abuses as the most stressful factor the region is facing.

Honourable Cecilia Barabra Atim Ogwal, Dokolo district Woman representative to the National Parliament of Uganda expressed fear that a number of children in the region have been impregnated a situation she said is becoming intolerable.

She further said cases of child marriage and teenage pregnancy with the negative consequences in the lives of the community is one of the problems the region is facing at the moment.

The legislator went on to note that as a result of teenage pregnancy and child marriage, the victims have turned to become vulnerable child mothers leaving the burdens, the responsibilities of giving care and some basic needs on the parents.

In her remarks, the law maker appealed to people that the visit of the Papal Nuncio and his message of peace should remain significant with visible impact in the lives of people through change of life style and attitudes towards moral growth of children.

She expressed and affirmed their commitment that as legislators from the Lango sub- region, they will work in collaboration with the religious leaders and other key stake holders in combating cases of child marriage and teenage pregnancy within the communities.

Meanwhile Rt. Rev Sanctus Lino Wanok, the Bishop of Lira Diocese while commenting about the concerns raised by the Member of Parliament and other local leaders in the region noted the need for the leaders to make the best use of the existing laws and ensure that such laws are promptly enforced in a bid to punish those who entice youngsters in to child marriage and other forms of abuses.

The Bishop further said, it is timely for the policy makers, and other leaders to ensure that such laws and policies are promptly implemented in a bid to protect the rights and dignity of the children from abuses.

The prelate went on to share that if such laws and policies regarding the rights of children were being followed and implemented, the region would not be overwhelmed with numerous cases of child abuses in the forms of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, defilement among others.

Besides child marriage and teenage pregnancy, the Bishop also expressed discontentment over the apparent situation of moral decadence in the community where some organizations are determined to promote the use of contraceptives among the youngsters which is contrary to the Social Teachings of the Church.

Although the religious leaders are making efforts to sensitize the people against the dangers of teenage pregnancy and child marriage always in the places of worship and other platforms, the Bishop noted that their efforts are not taken seriously, the reason why such cases of child abuses and other social challenges are penetrating the society today.

He then pointed that because of the bad behaviors evolving, many young people are being thrown into the abuse of drugs and other substances like alcohol which are harmful to human health especially when used excessively.

At the moment the Bishop mentioned that due to strong influence of the drugs and other substances in the lives of the youth who could be making productive engagements for their future, many are failing to control themselves, the reason why they are indulging in the acts of teenage pregnancy, early marriage, theft and other discarded behaviors.

He strongly reiterated the need for the laws and policies regarding child protection to be enforced promptly against perpetrators and the involvement of all stake holders in the region in a move to address the challenges of teenage pregnancy, child marriage and other challenges youth are grappling currently.

Within the time of March 2020 and June 2021, UNICEF reported 23 % increase in pregnancy among girls from ages 10 to 24 seeking for care. Consequently many experts therefore have observed that teenage pregnancy, adolescent parenthood and child marriage are major health and social concerns in Uganda and constitute a significant barrier for girls’ education. End