By Yasiri J. Kasango and Christine Mirembe
The Anglican Church of Uganda has taken the campaign against domestic violence to schools in a bid to empower children to fend off the vice that is ruining families, leaving children with a bleak future.
The campaign initiated by the Anglican Diocese of Mukono in central Uganda, was launched on February 24 with the “Annual All Schools’ Run against domestic Violence.” The run that took place at Uganda Christian University was one of the events intended to commemorate the Diocese’s 39th anniversary.
Mukono Diocesan Secretary, the Rev. John Ssebudde noted that the Annual All Schools Run against domestic violence was organized to create awareness against the growing cases of domestic violence in the community today.
Ssebudde noted that involving children in the campaign would teach them at an early age about the need to shun, but also fight the vice. “The run is aimed at creating awareness in homes, schools, towns, villages, and every other area about the evil domestic violence is,” Ssebudde said, adding, “In organizing the run, we are sending a clear message to the community that children who are the usual victims of domestic violence need protection.”
Whereas the Church in Uganda has put a lot of emphasis on building strong families for a peaceful community, many Christian families have been torn apart by domestic violence, which has worsened vulnerability among children. Many children who suffer domestic violence in Uganda end up dropping out of schools while others flee from their homes, ending up on the streets as street children.
The 2022 Annual Police Crimes Report for Uganda indicated that cases of domestic violence increased from 17,533 in 2021 to 17,698 in 2022. The report also observed that there was a general increase in cases of domestic violence for the three-year period starting 2020 to 2022 from 17,664 cases to 17,698.
The report attributed domestic violence to disputes over family property, failure to provide for families, drug and alcohol abuse, and cases of infidelity. Uganda has recently witnessed an increase in cases of women who kill their husbands in wrangles.
Speaking at the event, Mukono Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Enos Kitto Kagodo encouraged schools to identify resourceful people and make use of them in teaching children about the dangers of domestic violence.
“Schools should identify resourceful people to help children know how to defend themselves against the vice,” Kagodo said.
Whereas children are the usual victims of domestic violence in Uganda, there is no mechanism in place to help rehabilitate them.
Bishop Kagodo revealed that the Annual All Schools Run will keep reminding Ugandans about their responsibility in fighting domestic violence.
“The run symbolizes an ongoing commitment to breaking the chains of domestic violence and building a future free from fear and harm,” he said, adding, “The event should not only raise awareness but also open a dialogue for comprehensive solutions, emphasizing the crucial role of education, rehabilitation, and legal measures in creating a safer and more compassionate society.”
In his speech, the children’s coordinator for Mukono Diocese, the Rev. Asaph Kawuma Mabirizi highlighted the importance of teaching children how to identify violence and abuse against them in their environment.
Mabirizi noted that whereas many children are abused sexually, emotionally, and psychologically, they do not know how to seek help. He also revealed that the diocese is in the process of building a rehabilitation center with three units for children, parents and a counselling ward, respectively.
He noted that once the construction of the center is done, teachers who identify victims of domestic violence in their schools, will refer them and their parents to the center for rehabilitation.
The woman Member of Parliament for Luwero District, Brenda Nabukenya who was the guest of honor at the event, urged school-going children to reflect on the pervasive issue of domestic violence as they participated in the run. “As you run, think about domestic violence and the interventions that can be put in place to fight this vice in the community, ” she said.
Nabukenya pledged sh1m ($255) and 50 bags of cement for the construction of a rehabilitation center in the diocese for the victims of domestic violence including women and children.
The run attracted a number of students from schools in the diocese including St. Luke SS Kyetume, Mukono High School, Bishop Senior School Mukono, Joy and Jolly Primary School, St. Francis Borgia Secondary School and Mpoma Schools.
