Minister Kadaga calls for bye-law to protect children with Albinism

The minister of East African affairs and Kamuli woman  Member of Parliament  Rebecca Kadaga has  challenged leaders at all levels to enact   by-laws that will protect  children with albinism in schools so that they are not discriminated against.

 While speaking at the activities to mark the 16 days of activism to end gender based violence at Kamuli Youth Center sponsored by She leads project consortium ,  the former speaker of parliament of Uganda   said such children require extra care.

"For instance, they must sit near the blackboard, because of the visual difficulty. They should also be allowed to wear hats and glasses, not because they are fashionable, but because they have a problem with their sight," she noted.

Kadaga also called for naming and shaming of people  who commit crimes against the children, saying “there are leaders who take advantage of the community, sit in front, to get recognition but side with child abusers.Wake up and support the children,”

The Country Manager Terres des Hommes -Netherlands James Yesiga  called for more vigilance when dealing with children's issues.

He called for a platform for the most vulnerable girls to speak out on the increasing number of teenage pregnancies and child marriages during this period but above all, seek accountability from various stakeholders on the spike in teenage pregnancies and functionality of child protection mechanisms

“Empower girls to be part of decision making at all levels and facilitate their participation, educate them, give them skills, enable them to have the confidence to speak and have their voices heard,” he said

He condemned the negative cultural practices that have kept the girls disadvantaged and rallied for engagement of men and boys to publicly condemn and desist from sexual violence against women and girls.

Mr, Yesiga  warned that unless communities get back to the core unit –the family,  children will continue facing setbacks in the missing link for socialization, education and protection

The Plan International Uganda Kamuli program Area manager  Zaituna Asio called for strengthening of child protection and response mechanisms

 She said that while the closure of schools was aimed at   averting the spread COVID-19, the resultant effects have greatly threatened the well being of children, exposed them to risks such as violence in digital spaces, harmful practices, sexual violence, child labour, teenage pregnancy and child neglect among others.

Asio also called upon the community, parents and caregivers, to economically prepare and support all children both girls and boys, especially those with disabilities, young mothers and those in hard-to-reach areas to return to school.