Government Asked To Increase More Funding To Child Protection

The government of Uganda has been asked to increase funding for child protection programs in the country. ChildFund International partnered with the AfriChild Centre of Makerere University to publicize the findings of the Budget Analysis for Child Protection in Uganda.

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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