This week I was in Kasese taking part in validation of a study soon to be released by Isis-WICCE on child marriages in Uganda. I met Sarah Biira, 19 year old who had her first child at 13 years. Kasese is a post conflict area but has largely been ignored in terms of development. It has been under conflict since 1940s and the education of a girl child is a challenge because of poverty, cultural beliefs and loss of livelihoods to war.
Bushenyi roots.
editor, public speaker, feminist writer, award-winning blogger and socio-political analyst. Words seen in international media like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Quartz and Mundo Negro. Expertise in new media, social justice, migration, gender, peace and security issues. Was honored with the 2018 Anna Guèye Award for her work on digital democracy, justice and equality by Africtivistes. She is the co-editor of a book: Challenging Patriarchy: The Role of Patriarchy in the Roll-Back of Democracy. Rosebell has expertise in human rights, gender, peace and conflict issues. Rosebell was recently recognized by Avance Media as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Africa for 2021 edition.
I studied Mass Communication at Makerere University, short courses on Non-violent conflict at Tufts University, Global Leadership and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and MA in Media, Peace and Conflict Studies from the University for Peace. Outside Uganda, I have lived in Costa Rica, Switzerland and a bit in Ethiopia.
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7 thoughts on “Child marriages in Uganda”
It is sad that there several cases of child abuse in Uganda in different forms. over the years the government’s response has been make laws and punish the offenders, for this reason we made a law on defilement (amended in 2007), child sacrifice, children act, FGM e.t.c. however the laws have not been followed with proper implementation strategies as well as a drive towards attitude and cultural change. Its time we focus beyond making laws and policies to focusing on economic and social influences that have led to such abuses
there is so much to say about girl child marriage. most of all it is caused by lack of even simple basic needs such as poor communication to children especialy girls at home.
Rosebell Kagumire 
It is sad that there several cases of child abuse in Uganda in different forms. over the years the government’s response has been make laws and punish the offenders, for this reason we made a law on defilement (amended in 2007), child sacrifice, children act, FGM e.t.c. however the laws have not been followed with proper implementation strategies as well as a drive towards attitude and cultural change. Its time we focus beyond making laws and policies to focusing on economic and social influences that have led to such abuses
very true Peter!
NIce to see you not over-complicate the editorial aspect of this and just let her tell own story
Thanks
there is so much to say about girl child marriage. most of all it is caused by lack of even simple basic needs such as poor communication to children especialy girls at home.
True.