PARLIAMENT – First lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni has said efforts aimed at fighting sexual violence are hindered when parents choose to cover up the accused rather than cooperate with law enforcement agencies in unearthing perpetrators.
She explained that the duty to fight sexual violence is a collective role that should not be left to the Ministry.
Ms Museveni was speaking before a select Committee of Parliament investigating sexual violence in education institutions.
Led by MP Robinah Gureme Rwakoojo (NRM, Gomba West), the Committee was appointed by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to probe rising cases of sexual assault and violence, mainly in institutions of learning.
“This [sexual violence] is not a problem that is just for Education [Ministry] alone. It is a problem that is affecting children even at home,” said Ms. Museveni. “We will do what we can do, but you must know that we should all be involved in fighting this evil.”
She was in the company of the State Minister for Higher Education, John Chrysostom Muyingo.
MP Rwakoojo said female students were finding it difficult to complete their studies due to the barriers thrown at them by sexual predators.
“Girls fail to complete their university…they have a problem especially during research; there are allegations about the vice happening,” she said.
MP Mwine Mpaka (NRM, Youth Western) challenged Ministry officials about recycling or transferring head teachers implicated in gross misconduct instead of indicting them.
“Why is it that the Education Service Commission has failed to have Head Teachers involved in sexual violence removed; they are instead transferred,” said Mwiine.
He cited the example of former Kibuli Secondary School head teacher, a one Mugagga, who was interdicted following allegations of sexual harassment against students.
His case is yet to be concluded, a delay Minister Muyingo blamed on ongoing investigations.
The Committee was asked to ascertain the causes and magnitude of sexual violence in educational institutions and its negative effects on the population; and to study and review laws against sexual violence in Uganda as well as the available policies for the management and control of sexual violence.
Added Reporting by Parliament Press.
