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Two notables, during the ceremony at Sheraton Hotel said that Uganda has one of the world’s youngest populations in the world. Apparently, over half which is 56% of the total population under the age of 18 years and about 49% under the age of 15 (UNICEF, 2019).
Apparently, this population structure illuminates an urgent need for deliberate and increased investment in child protection. This is if these children are to fulfill their potential and contribute sustainably to the development of the country.
“Children continue to face several protection challenges including orphanhood, teenage pregnancy, child labour, an influx of street-connected children, and violence. The first-ever Uganda National Violence Against Children Survey (VACS) revealed that one in three girls and one in six boys, suffer sexual violence. This is during their childhood, and 70% of boys suffer physical violence,” Timothy Opobo, Executive Director – AfriChild Centre and Moses Otai Country Director ChildFund noted.
They also said that the government and society must ensure child well-being in the communities that they serve.
In the five (5) Districts of; Mbarara, Wakiso, Gulu, Katakwi and Busia where they conducted the study, they found the trends in budget allocation to fluctuate for Wakiso and Mbarara. However, it was static in Busia while Katakwi. Gulu recorded a declining trend in allocations to child protection.
“A review of Government budgets for the last five Fiscal Years shows that although the “Youth and Children Affairs” sub-Programme budget nearly doubled from UGX 4 billion between 2017 and 2018 to UGX 6.1 billion. And UGX 6.4 billion between 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020 respectively. There was a sharp decrease in the fiscal year 2020 to 2021 by 29.2%, an equivalent of UGX 1.9 billion,” shows the report.
It is clear that the national budget has substantially increased over the review period. However, though, the budget allocation to child protection has shown a decreasing trend.
“I will fight as much as possible to make sure that some commitments are made”. Amos Lugoloobi who officiated the event pledged.
Key Recommendations;
The report calls for a government “substantially” increase of funding to all child protection structures. This is from the national to District level for effective prevention and response to child protection risks. “These funds should be gazetted for child protection activities and not simply lumped up with other priorities.”
The report also seeks for the government to take on a coordinated systems approach to child protection. This should link all stakeholders.
Check Also;
- Laws Against Child Rights Violators Should Be Enforced – UCRNN
- NGOs Start Campaign To End Violence Against Children
- Child Rights Organizations Call For Children’s Safety As Schools Reopen
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![[dropcap]A[/dropcap] section of women in Bugongo parish and Nawangaiza parish in Nawandala Sub County, Iganga District have decried the near-impossible terms set for them to access GROW funds. They have now petitioned their woman member of parliament for Iganga Hon. Kauma Sauda Alibaawo to ask the government for revised terms and conditions. This is to enable them to benefit from the program. The disgruntled women accuse the implementers of the program of charging the money. They are also asking for their land titles and land agreements. They said that such properties are governed by their husbands. These, therefore want the government through their woman MP to intervene and revise the requirements for one to benefit. The women were on Wednesday at Namabwere primary school in Nawandala Sub County. They had gathered in their respective groups to receive over 300 chickens from Hon Alibaawo in her campaign to improve the livelihood of women in Iganga district. Each group was given 50 chicken as start-up capital in their journey to prosperity. Read what some leaders said; Ms Naigambi Lydia from Nawandala Trading Centre says, “They solicited money from us through opening bank accounts and depositing Shs80,000. They also asked for land titles and land agreements from us yet we don’t have such things. I was informed that I needed to have a business with a capital of Shs4m yet my capital was very small.” The chairperson Kisoboka Saving Group in Nawandala Ms. Nakagolo Faith said they were not able to join the program. This is given the many conditions attached. She also asked their woman MP to raise their concerns to the relevant offices. The MP condemned the mode of implementation of the program. She cited that it has turned to benefit the well-off class of women other than the intended group. She further asked the government to intervene saying the current strings attached to the programme are very tight to accommodate a common woman. GROW project is a Government of Uganda initiative that arose out of the need to respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs. This is especially those who want to grow their businesses, sustain their self-employment and create more jobs. Check Also; Iganga District NRM Leaders Urge Museveni To Fulfill Election Promises Of 2021 International Women's Day: Celebrating Progress Towards Equality](https://newslexpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Iganga-women-decry-tough-terms-to-access-GROW-funds-e1731738339732.jpg)