Tuesday, May 11, 2021
By World Vision Communications & Advocacy Staff in Uganda
Recognising that violence against children is a global problem, World Vision embarked on all-inclusive five-year-ending violence against children campaign called,
“It Takes A World” (ITAW) The campaign is a bold expression of our intent to promote human transformation, seek justice, and uphold the rights of children. World Vision celebrates the recent passing of two bills that seek to protect children from the most heinous of crimes.
Sexual Offences Bill
On 3 May 2021, the Parliament of Uganda passed the Sexual Offences Bill 2019 which criminalises marriages involving children and other sexual offences against children; such as defilement, child pornography, sexual abuse in schools, and child sex tourism among others. This is the first legislation that fully addresses the issue of child marriage, which is very prevalent in Uganda: One in four girls is married off before her 18th birt
Whoever will be found guilty of sacrificing a person for ritual purposes faces a maximum punishment of death following the passing of a law on human sacrifice
The speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga said that the bill is justice for the 12-year-old boy, Joseph Kasirye, who was a victim of human sacrifice by Kato Kajubi.
She said, ‘‘with the passing of this bill, we can say that we have done just that for him.’’
The mover of the bill, Ayivu county MP Bernard Atiku has consistently told parliament that human sacrifice is a growing concern to law enforcement agencies, parents, child rights activists and the public with a need for stringent penalties.
MPs David Bahati, Baba Diri among others expressed optimism that it will protect children especially the disabled who are a target of human sacrifice.