The Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kasana-Luweero, Msgr. Vincent De Paul Mukiibi, has encouraged unmarried teachers to consider marriage, saying that some parents have expressed concern about entrusting their children to single teachers.
Msgr. Mukiibi said several parents had approached him with fears that unmarried teachers may pose a greater risk of child abuse, making them uneasy when such teachers are responsible for the care and supervision of their children at school.
He said many parents had confided in him about their anxiety whenever they discovered that unmarried teachers were in charge of their children. He appealed to teachers who are single to consider settling down in marriage and urged those engaging in premarital sexual relationships to embrace holy matrimony.
Msgr. Mukiibi made the remarks on Friday during the Diocesan Teachers’ Day celebrations held at the Luwero Teachers’ SACCO Gardens in Luwero Town Council. He also reminded teachers that the schools in which they serve belong to the diocese and urged them to actively participate in diocesan programmes and activities.
In addition, he advised teachers to prioritise their health by adopting healthy lifestyles. He cautioned against excessive alcohol consumption and encouraged them to prevent lifestyle-related illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension through balanced diets and regular physical exercise.
Msgr. Mukiibi’s comments on child protection are not entirely new in the area. In 2012, Uganda Radio Network (URN) reported that the then Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, now Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, raised concerns about cases of child sexual abuse in Catholic Church-supported schools within his jurisdiction.
At the time, Bishop Ssemogerere said several cases were going unreported in Catholic-founded schools in Luwero. He made the remarks after learning of allegations that a teacher at St Augustine Primary School in Zirobwe Sub-county, Luwero District, had sexually abused a Primary Six pupil.
According to the report, Bishop Ssemogerere said the incident was the fourth such case brought to his attention. Speaking to URN, he urged the Ministry of Education and the Police to work together to establish the extent of child sexual abuse in Luwero schools.
Kasana-Luweero Diocese covers Luwero, Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts. It oversees more than 150 pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
Bishop Ssemogerere also recommended more rigorous background checks for teachers seeking employment in Catholic Church-supported schools, arguing that educators entrusted with learners are expected to uphold high moral standards-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
