LET’S PRAY FOR ALL CHILDREN AND DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS
A child, as per Article 34 (5) of
the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 (as amended), is anyone below
the age of sixteen years. But as you might know, in the African setting, one is
a child to their parent or guardian as long as life endures. However old they
may grow, they still pay allegiance to their parents and guardians. In the
Christian perspective, we are all children of God as written in John 1:12 of
the Bible.
It is provided under Article 17 (1)
(c) of the Constitution that it is the duty of every citizen to protect
children and vulnerable persons against any form of abuse, harassment or
ill-treatment. Article 31 (4) is to the effect that it is the right and duty of
parents to care for and bring up their children and under clause (5), children
may not be separated from their families or persons entitled to bring them up
against the will of their families or of those persons, except in accordance
with the law. The duties and obligations imposed upon parents and guardians are
not to be taken lightly but must be given very serious thought. Children have
the right to know and be cared for by their parents or those entitled by law to
bring them up.
In the current context of COVID-19,
so many children and parents remain anxious due to closure of school by the His
Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in his address to the nation, first on March
18, 2020 and again on July 6, 2021. This was aimed at curbing the further
spread of the deadly coronavirus and was a great turn of events in the history
of Uganda just as in many other nations of this world. The pandemic will live
to be told to many generations to come.
The recent release of Primary
Leaving Examinations results on July 16, 2021 by Hon. Janet Museveni was good
news for parents whose children excelled but I believe there is a second
thought of what the next step shall be in these children’s education. Nothing
seems as certain as it used to be. We seem to be in another normal that is
quite hard to grasp.
Each of us ought to pray fervently for
the children of Uganda and those in countries going through a similar
experience that God will continue to have mercy on them, protect and defend
them against all forms of abuse and violation of their rights and fundamental
freedoms. Reports have indicated that a number of children have fallen victims
to abuse by relatives, friends and other unscrupulous members of their
communities. Unless we join efforts to watch out for each child as we look
forward to a season where they will go back to schools and pick up with their
education, we might lose an entire generation. Every child matters, every
child’s posterity is worth securing.
Robert Mugisa is a human rights
lawyer and defender/advocate.
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