Mugabe R
Rotarian Steven Nsubuga Bewayo, the Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC), has urged parents to take full responsibility for their children’s education instead of relying solely on government support.
His remarks were made during the Rukungiri District African Child Day commemoration held on Friday, August 2, 2024, at Bridge of Hope Children’s Ministry in Kabashaki Cell, Eastern Ward, Kebisoni Town Council, Rukungiri District.
While African Child Day is officially observed on July 17 each year, Rukungiri District chose to commemorate the day on Friday. The event aims to raise awareness about children’s rights within families.
The tradition of African Child Day began in 1991 in South Africa, responding to the mistreatment of black children, including child labor, sexual harassment, discrimination, segregation, and corporal punishment. Following street demonstrations from 1976 to 1991, where over 200 children were shot, the government took action to protect children and establish the commemorative day.
Bewayo emphasized that a child is a gift from God and that caring for children is a parental responsibility, regardless of government support.
Geoffrey Kyomukama, the LCV Chairperson of Rukungiri District, highlighted the importance of children and cautioned against the increasing drug abuse among youth. He urged parents to report such issues to authorities.
Alex Mugabe Nathan, the Mayor of Kebisoni Town Council, expressed his dedication to children’s welfare and praised Kebisoni Town Council for its high-quality service delivery in recent years. He condemned the misconduct of some parents who have reported school heads and district education officers to security agencies for unnecessary transfers.
Jennifer Tumusimire, the Rukungiri District Probation Officer, attributed high dropout rates to parental neglect in providing essential needs such as nutrition, educational materials, and proper clothing. She also highlighted the rise in child defilement cases in Buhunga and Nyarushanje Sub Counties, with 1,652 teenage pregnancies recently reported at antenatal care services, noting that the actual numbers could be higher due to unreported cases.
Hildah Nasazi Abaasa, the Rukungiri Municipal Council Probation Officer, encouraged parents to prioritize education to equip children for a stable future, both financially and politically and stressed the importance of education for girls to maintain integrity in future marriages.
