62,000 Ugandan Children
Defiled
By Haruna Mawa Papique
Just two years after Uganda amended the law on
defilement to deeply punish the child sexual offenders,
the latest report into the vice indicates up to 20,935 more
children have been defiled.
The figure which was released by the African Network
for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse
and Neglect (ANPPCAN) on June 16, 2009, shows on
average 10,000 children are reportedly defiled each year
in the country where the juvenile population constitutes
57% of the total 30m people.
According to ANPPCAN Uganda Chapter, a regional
NGO working to protect the children from abuse and
neglect, child sexual abuse is the most rampant form of
crime against children in Uganda. This is due to the
failure by the government to speed up the prosecutions
of the suspected offenders. Last year although the
reported defilement cases dropped by 29%, however
97.2% of the suspected offenders were not tried.
Its absurd that in the last six years a total of 61,888
children have been reportedly defiled. While the statistics
of the married children stands at 65,000 its equally
worrying, ANPPCAN Ugandas Executive Director
Deogratias Yiga, said in the press statement.
According to the police crime report for 2008, a total of
10,365 sex related crimes were registered. Defilement
cases were 8635, however out of this figure just 4,124
cases were taken to courts and only 333 (3.8%)
convictions were recorded. While rape cases also
increased from 599 cases in 2007 to 1,536 in 2008 the
state managed to proceed 241 cases to court and out of
these only 52 convicts were made.
This high incidence of child sexual abuse has resulted
into more children contracting HIV/AIDS, and other
sexual transmitted diseases, increased child pregnancies,
early marriages and high school drop out rates. The
statement emphasised that child sexual abuse denies
children their basic right to survival and development.
Practice escalates
Over the past six years, the trend has just escalated. In
2007 a total of 12,300 children were defiled, this was an
increase from 2006 where 11,923 defilement cases were
recorded. Similarly in 2005, the police force reported
7,844 defilement cases down from 13,929 in 2004 and in
2003, the vice saw 7257 children abused.
Although the amended Section (129) of the Penal Code
Act 2007 provides for a death penalty to the person found
guilty of defilement, most of the offenders have walked
free. Local NGOs say this is due to the unfriendly justice
system in the country.
Recently the Thematic Group, an association comprising
15 NGOs fighting against child sexual abuse and lead by
ANPPCAN Uganda concluded that most child survivors
of abuse are required to give evidence in the strange and
often intimidating court environment without prior
preparation of the child about the court proceedings. This
they argue put children in very difficult procedures to
deal with the intrusive defence lawyers and prosecutors
who are ill trained to communicate with the children.
Government reacts
Speaking on UBC radio, a government owned station
during a talk show on the rights of children 0n June 18 in
which ANPPCAN participated, the Minister for Children
Lt. Jessica Alupo admitted that there is a gap in the local
justice system. This problem cuts across all sectors of
the government and needs every persons intervention.
For instance, this court issue is handled by the Justice
Ministry, but we are collectively working to address the
childrens concerns, She said.
Alupo appealed to the public to work closely with the
government and inform the authorities about any suspected
case of child abuse. She said the highest percentage of child
sexual abuse suspects are the people close to the children
citing the close relatives.
However, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social
Development in Uganda which handles aspects of social
protection and child fare remains among the least funded
ministries in Uganda.
EM
On the 49th Parallel
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja and Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda is in
anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja na Dk. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda ni
katika machafuko"
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