By
Nathan Bahangwa
Leaders in Kabale District have raised red flags over a sharp rise in school dropouts and disturbing cases of child abuse, calling for urgent action to safeguard the rights and futures of children.
The outcry came on Friday afternoon during commemorations of the Day of the African Child at Kamuganguzi Jonan Luwum Memorial Secondary School, where district officials, faith-based groups, civil society actors, and hundreds of children gathered under the theme: “Planning and Budgeting for Child Care and Protection in Uganda.
Monica Nzeirwe, Kabale District’s Probation Officer, revealed that of the district’s 130,000 children, a staggering 11% are dropping out of school, with only 89% completing their education. Among these are 4,070 orphans facing even steeper challenges.
“The root causes are complex early marriages, parental neglect, and lack of school materials,” said Nzeirwe. “Some children attend school without basic necessities, and many girls are forced into early marriages or end up on the streets.”
Even more troubling is the rise in abuse. “Since June last year, my office has recorded 184 cases of child violence, including sexual abuse by parents and relatives,” she added, urging families to prioritize their children’s safety and education.
Dorothy Tumwebaze Mugabe, Partnership Facilitator at Compassion International, emphasized the silent suffering of children battling poverty, hunger, and limited access to education. Tumwebaze encouraged parents to plan proactively for their children’s futures and reminded children to remain hopeful and grounded in faith.
State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. David Bahati, lauded Compassion International for instilling strong values in children. He also credited government programs like free education and immunization for improving child welfare and life expectancy.
The Day of the African Child is observed annually in remembrance of the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa, where thousands of black schoolchildren bravely protested for their right to education. Many were killed by apartheid forces.