Parents and other concerned stakeholders told to join forces to fight against use of toxic substances.

KABALE: The State Minister for Gender, Labor, and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, Hon. Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has encouraged parents and stakeholders in Kabale District to sensitize the community about the dangers of using toxic substances.

The minister made the call during the Kabale District belated celebrations of the International Day of the African Child, held at the National Teachers College in Kabale Municipality.

Hon. Min. Dr. Balaam Barugahara emphasized the importance of creating a clean and crime-free community, stressing that the abuse of toxic substances is a major hindrance to achieving this goal.

He appealed to parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to join forces in educating the masses about the harmful effects of toxic substances on individuals, families, and the community at large.

Citing his findings during a visit to the Ndorwa Remand Centre earlier in the day, where he met young juvenile victims of HIV, the minister also called on the judiciary to prioritize and expedite the hearing of cases involving HIV-infected detainees.

Highlighting the heightened health risks associated with keeping such individuals in custody, the minister emphasized the need for swift legal proceedings to ensure their well-being and uphold their rights.

“The crowded and often unsanitary conditions in many detention facilities can exacerbate health issues for those with compromised immune systems. Most likely those infected with HIV are at risk.” Said Balaam Barugahara.

Speaking at the same function, His Worship Henry Twinamatsiko, the Deputy registrar of Kabale High Court , attributed the delay in hearing and resolving cases of young children in remand homes to the overwhelming number of culprits in the region. 

He added that this delay in hearing and resolving cases not only affects the children’s welfare but also perpetuates a cycle of crime and violence in the community and that the Kabale High Court is serving a wider area, something that has led to delays in court hearings.

His Worship Twinamatsiko also explained that the unique challenge of Kabale’s porous borders has led to an influx of children with diverse backgrounds and characters, contributing to the high crime rate in society.

He further expressed that gaps in parental involvement at home have led to an increased number of crimes in society.

According to Monica Muhumuza Nzeirwe, the District Probations Officer said that Kabale District has registered over 1,300 cases of teenage pregnancy 

Monica Muhumuza Nzeirwe, the District Probations Officer says that among the cases were four 15-year-old girls, with the incidents recorded between July 2023 and the present.

She highlighted that 2.3 percent of children in Kabale are unable to complete their education despite the provision of Universal Primary and Secondary Education with 75 percent being males, many of whom fall into criminal activities and other related social issues.

Muhumuza attributed the issue to poor parenting and emphasized the need for all stakeholders in Kabale to ensure that every child in the district has access to education.