KASESE- Political and cultural leaders as well as civil society organizations in Kasese district have raised a concern over the rising anti-social behaviors resulting from Gender Based Violence among some communities.
The rising cases of Gender Based Violence including murder, incest, defilement, suicide, divorce and drug abuse among others dominated a dialogue meeting between the District Human Rights’ Committee and a section of stakeholders.
The dialogue meeting which was organized by Uganda Network on Law, Ethics and HIV/AIDS (UGANET) was held at Snow View Guest House in Kasese town with an aim of discussing and suggesting some remedies to the activities that deprive some people of their rights.
The Kasese District Vice Chairperson, Mr. Jerevesious Monday Bwambale stressed that the rate at which cases of murder, defilement, child abuse and committing suicide had become an insignificant behavior in the society.
He noted that the two concurrent cases of murder and attempted murder that occurred last month in the district were indicators of lack of positive norms among some communities.
Whereas the root cause for the surge of the cases has not been identified, the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Deputy Minister for Youth and Talent Development, Hon. Hosea Baluku blames the challenge to poor parenting that is associated with low esteem to education.
Ms Annette Kobusinge, the Gender Officer/Stop Gender Based Violence Champion suggested that there should be serious engagements with community members so that they can discuss deeper and find lasting solutions.
ASP Jane Ngelese, the Officer in-charge of Family and Child Protection Unit at Kasese Police Division called for joint efforts of all the stakeholders in speaking out against the vice through using the available avenues like wedding parties and funerals.
The Chief Magistrates Court sitting at Rukoki in Kasese district has sentenced an 18-year-old man to five years in Mubuku Prison on his plea of guilty to defilement.
Court presided over by Her Worship Betty Ajok, the Kasese Chief Magistrate yesterday heard that on November 27, 2024 while in Kidodo Cell, Railway Ward of the Central Division in Kasese Municipality, Ednus Thembo defiled a 16-year- old girl.
Thembo however hails from Mughete – Nyakabale village in the current Kitabu sub-county.
Counsel Luke Kanyonyi, the Defense Lawyer from Kanyonyi and Co. Advocates told Messiah Radio after the court session that his client was given a lenient sentence because of his plea of guilty and therefore did not waste court’s time.
He also explained that court considered his client as a first time offender who committed the crime after consenting with the victim.
He discouraged the community members to desist from engaging in any sexual acts with minors, something he said might land them into jail and get heavy punishments.
