By Solomon Hamala
BUTALEJA
The Vice President of Uganda has urged parents in Butaleja district to stop the practice of dropping off their children from school for early marriages.
Retired Major, Jessica Alupo who was the chief guest at Butaleja Women’s Day Celebrations held on Saturday, 15th April 2023 said this at a function where she was represented by the 2nd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Lukiya Nakadama.
Before the Women Day Celebrations, Nakadama first commissioned four newly constructed classroom blocks at Budumba SS in Budumba Sub County and at St. Sepiryano High Land Primary School in Nabweyo Sub County respectively.
“It’s a common practice here that parents lure their daughters as low as P.5 and P.6 into marriage for economic gains,” adding that the practice is being supported by the local leaders like L.C.1 chairpersons.
Rt. Nakadama urged parents in Butaleja to support their children with scholastic materials and also to make use of the classroom facilities extended to them by government to educate their children.
She also revealed that government with the help of political and local leaders in the area are making efforts for the people of Bunyole to get a cultural leader (Sehulu) for purposes of unity, cultural promotions among others.
The two schools were founded by the Late Hon. Cerina Nebanda. Shortly, the schools were taken over by government on parents’ request.
The head teacher for Budumba SS asked government for construction of a science laboratory and library.
The Women’s Day Celebrations was held at Hasakya Primary School in Nabweyo Sub County and RT. Nakadama challenged people especially women to prioritize PDM programs and other programs to fight poverty.
Butaleja District Woman MP, Florence Nebanda hailed her late sister Hon. Cerina Nebanda for promoting education in Butaleja by starting up schools.
She however urged parents to make proper use of the available schools to educate their children instead of taking their children into Doho Rice Scheme and sending their children to Kampala and other towns for child labour.
Through the chief guest, Hon. Nebanda reminded President Museveni about the road tarmac pledge from Namutumba to Butaleja to ease trade, transport and communication.
Considering the challenges faced by women, Hon Nebanda cautioned men/husbands to promote a free domestic violence environment in their homes.
Butaleja District Women’s Association received 800m from government to promote different women projects for poverty eradication.
The LC5 Chairman for Butaleja Higenyi Michael Pulipuli asked government to increase more funding into youth and elderly sector saying the district is overwhelmed by the demand.
However Huwaya Ali a resident asked government to fulfill the PDM program for people to access money for the intended projects and stop giving them empty promises as he further re-echoed the leader’s voices of Namutumba-Butaleja Road Tarmac.
