Admin.
The Church of Uganda and the
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development have agreed to strengthen
their collaboration in programmes that address children’s vulnerability across the
country.
This comes at a time when the
Church’s Provincial Assembly declared 2019 as a year for children, with focus
on protecting children’s rights while nurturing them to grow in a desirable
manner and be responsible adults in the future.
While meeting a delegation from
the Church at the ministry headquarters on Wednesday, April 17, 2019,
theMinister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Florence Nakiwala
Kiyingi, announced that consequently the Church of Uganda would lead Day of the
African Child (DAC) celebrations this year.
The Day is commemorated every
year on 16th June by all member states of African Union (AU) to specifically
raise awareness on issues affecting children in general and particularly
vulnerable children.
The observance stems from the
June 16, 1976 incidence where hundreds of students from Soweto, South
Africawere shot by security forces whilemarching as a way to demonstrate their
disapproval of the Black Education Act, which segregated students based on
their race.
Nakiwala noted that the
Government was glad to collaborate with the Church of Uganda since its
congregation consists one-third of children.
“It’s therefore pleasant to
partner with an institution that first of all has the means of mass
mobilization but also the numbers to cause change,” Nakiwala said.
She called on the Church not to
only use word of mouth but also incorporate dissemination of hard copies of
relevant documents like laws pertaining to children, training manuals and
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to voice out issues
relating to children’s wellbeing.
She also handed to them copies of
the current regime of laws and regulations on children.
On his part, the Children’s
Ministry Coordinator at the Church of Uganda, Rev Richard Rukundo, said their
strategy was to involve all organs of the church like Mothers Union, Father’s
Union, Young Marrieds Fellowship, Home Cells, Christian Women’s Fellowships,
Prayer and Intercession groups in establishing and leading Children’s Ministry
in the Church and Family.
“We have a Roadmap whose purpose
is to position the child at the center of all Ministry activities through
multiple approaches. We are engaging every child in the Family, Schools,
Church, Community and country at large,” Rukundo noted.
He revealed that their choice of
focus was informed by Bible teachings which proclaim children as gifts from the
Lord and fruit of the womb.
“In Western countries, they have
realized that the problems they have of liberalism and loss of faith are mainly
because there was a time when they stopped sending their children to Church and
Sunday school. Therefore, Children’s Ministry is very important for the stable
growth of the Church and development of a strong generation” he added.
Statistics indicate that 11.3% of
children in Uganda are orphans and half of all children are vulnerable. Only 6%
are safe in their homes, schools and community. Many families are also
categorized as unstable and poor. Some children are separated from one or both
parents due to domestic violence, abuse, alcoholism, HIV/AIDS and other
conflicts.
“Because of this, very many
children are suffering silently and there is no one to listen and understand
them. Children who go through these harsh conditions get affected in their
physical and psychological development. But we should remember that no one will
take care of our children better than us” Rev. Rukundo noted.
He revealed that the Archbishop,
The Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali, in December 2018, wrote to all Bishops, Clergy,
Lay Readers, Christians and People of Uganda communicating about the year of
the Child and the deliberate drive to advocate for the welfare of children.
In that letter, the Archbishop
called on every congregation to establish and support Children’s Ministry with
clear funding for its activities.
He asked for Church teams to be
equipped with skills to reach out to schools, especially primary and secondary
schools, support chaplaincy and counselling services for children.
He also called on the Church to be the voice for the voiceless against child abuse, torture and neglect in homes, schools and communities.
END