Kasese Students Tipped on Responsible Lifestyles

By Joseph Masereka

Parents across Kasese district have been advised to offer education to their children in order for them to be responsible citizens to the country. Students were also urged to embrace responsible lifestyles.

The message was sounded on September 19 by the chief executive officer Kilembe Investments Limited, Jane Masika Birungi, at Nkainga Primary School ground in Maliba Town Council, Kasese District during the celebrations of the Girls Festival Dialogue.

The dialogue was organized by Reach a Hand in partnership with Save the children. Presiding over the festival, Birungi, who condemned parents for neglecting their roles, said education is the only key to success on earth.

“Dear learners, please concentrate on studies for a better future,” she advised, revealing “I had a dead year at university but I never give up.”

Birungi cautioned students against indulging in immoral behaviors, emphasizing that they can disrupt their academic pursuits. She also expressed concern about the influence of older individuals on young students, highlighting the potential negative consequences such as STDs, unwanted pregnancies, early marriages and school dropouts.

She encouraged students to resist temptations from these individuals and make wise choices in their relationships through thinking and dreaming beyond today for a better future.

“Have self control over your bodies, stop being tempted by bodily desires, think and dream bigger and bigger for your bright future in whatever challenges your passing through,” emphasized Birungi.

The Country Director Reach a Hand, James Tumusiime, said the event was aimed at creating awareness on the dangers of gender based violence characterized by early marriages and teenager pregnancies.

Tumusiime added that they chose to hold the event in Maliba following the increasing cases of gender based violence (GBV) in the area.

The Community Development Officer Maliba sub-county Ruth Labongo revealed that Maliba was being ranked fourth in in Kasese District in gender based violence (GBV) which has resulted in early marriage, unwanted pregnancy, murder, forced Labour, incest and single parenting. 

According to Labongo, under gender based violence (GBV), the sub-county registers 2-5 cases a day, 20-25 cases monthly and 60-70 cases quarterly. 

She further called on various stakeholders and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to intervene and save the alarming situation.

The Maliba sub-county chairperson LCIII Robert Kiryamuthaka Mubunga attributed the increased cases of GBV to alcoholism, single parenting, lack of formal education, lack of mindset change and early marriages, among locals.

He however expressed hope that the cases would decrease due to the good work being done by NGOs including Reach a Hand and Save the Children which have sensitized masses about dangers of GBV, as well as skilling the victims to earn a living.

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