Hon. Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, the State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, has called on parents and stakeholders in Kabale District to raise awareness about the dangers of using toxic substances. His appeal was made during the belated celebrations of the International Day of the African Child, held at the National Teachers College Playground in Kabale Municipality.
Dr. Ateenyi highlighted the critical need to build a clean and crime-free community, stressing that substance abuse is a significant barrier to achieving this goal. “The abuse of toxic substances has far-reaching consequences on individuals, families, and the community,” said Dr. Ateenyi. “It is imperative that parents, teachers, and other stakeholders collaborate to educate the community about these dangers.”
Earlier in the day, Dr. Ateenyi visited the Ndorwa Remand Centre, where he met juvenile victims of HIV. Following his visit, he urged the judiciary to expedite the hearing of cases involving HIV-infected detainees. He pointed out the increased health risks faced by these individuals in custody due to crowded and unsanitary conditions, which can exacerbate their health issues. “Swift legal proceedings are essential to ensure the well-being and uphold the rights of these detainees,” Dr. Ateenyi stated.
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At the same event, His Worship Henry Twinomuhwezi, the Deputy Kabale High Court Registra, addressed the delays in hearing and resolving cases of young children in remand homes. He attributed these delays to the overwhelming number of cases in the region. “The Kabale High Court is serving a wider area, which has led to significant delays in court hearings,” said Twinomuhwezi. He emphasized that these delays not only affect the children’s welfare but also contribute to a cycle of crime and violence within the community.
His Worship Twinomuhwezi also noted the unique challenges posed by Kabale’s porous borders, which have led to an influx of children with diverse backgrounds, further complicating the crime situation. He pointed out that gaps in parental involvement at home have exacerbated the problem, leading to an increase in criminal activities among the youth.
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The belated celebrations of the International Day of the African Child provided a platform for these critical discussions, highlighting the urgent need for community-driven initiatives to address substance abuse and improve the judicial process for young detainees.
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