Rukiga District Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Zadok Kamusime, has issued a stern warning to parents exploiting their defiled daughters for extortion purposes. His remarks came during the belated celebrations of the Day of the African Child held yesterday at Nyikunama Playground in Muhanga Town Council.
Kamusime expressed deep concern over the rising trend of parents using their daughters’ traumatic experiences as leverage for financial gain. “We are setting tough measures against this deplorable act,” he stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and welfare.
He also highlighted that the district has scheduled an urgent meeting to address the alarming issue of parents being silence about defilement for gains revealing that this aims to develop and implement stricter policies to combat child exploitation and ensure justice for victims.
Kamusime also called upon parents not to remain silent about such incidents. “Parents must not always be silent about this but rather use the police and courts of law so that the perpetrators can face justice,” he urged. By encouraging legal action, he aims to ensure that those responsible for such heinous acts are held accountable and deter future offenses.
During his speech at the function, Kamusime also called for collective action from the community, law enforcement, and social services to safeguard the well-being of children in the district. He stressed the importance of education and awareness programs to prevent such incidents and to support affected families in genuine, constructive ways.
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While officiating at the same function, Rukiga County Legislator Hon. Roland Ndyomugyenyi Bish also stressed the importance of a collective approach in advocating for children’s rights. He highlighted the need for children and youth to prioritize their education and called upon parents to protect their children from harm. “Parents must be vigilant and take care of their children to prevent cases of defilement, rape, and theft. These issues are of great concern in our district amongst the children and youth, and we must work together to eliminate them,” Ndyomugyenyi urged.
Hon. Ndyomugyenyi also called for continued efforts in Rukiga District to create a safer and more supportive environment for children. He emphasized the importance of education and community vigilance, aiming to cultivate a culture that prioritizes the well-being and development of young people.
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According to the report presented by the Rukiga District Community Development Officer, Dorothy Mbaguta Okello, 20 defilement cases were recorded between 2023 and 2024
The day served as a platform to raise awareness about the rights of children and the critical issues they face. The Day of the African Child, observed annually on June 16, commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising and underscores the need for continued advocacy for children’s rights across Africa.
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