The State Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs and Nakaseke Central Member of Parliament, Joseph Kabuye Kyofatogabye, has called on the church to work closely with the government in combating the persistent problem of early child marriages in Nakaseke District.
According to district statistics, teenage pregnancy remains a major challenge, with an estimated 18 percent of girls aged between 12 and 19 having already given birth. The situation is particularly alarming in the cattle corridor, where some girls are reportedly married off by their parents as young as 12 years old.
Kyofatogabye said that although child marriage is illegal, the practice continues in many parts of the cattle corridor, calling for a united effort by all stakeholders, including religious institutions, to eradicate the vice. He noted that early marriages not only endanger the lives and health of young girls but also contribute to high school dropout rates, as many are forced to abandon their education after being married off.
The minister warned that girls who marry at an early age are more likely to live in poverty, while communities that tolerate the practice remain underdeveloped due to limited educational attainment and economic opportunities. He therefore appealed to the church to take a leading role in sensitizing communities and advocating for the protection of children’s rights.
Kyofatogabye made the remarks during the inauguration of Bugongo Parish in Wakyato Sub-county, Nakaseke District, an area within the cattle corridor where cases of early child marriage remain widespread.
The Bishop of Kasana-Luweero Diocese, Rt. Rev. Lawrence Mukasa said the new parish was established following requests from Christians in the area, who had been travelling long distances to access pastoral services at the parish in Ngoma Town Council.
Bishop Mukasa revealed that the diocese also plans to establish additional parishes in remote areas, including Kansiri and Lwampanga on the shores of Lake Kyoga. However, he noted that these parishes will require significant support to grow, particularly because of the highly mobile populations of fishermen and pastoralists.
The Bishop appointed Fr. Eria Kayonga as the pioneer parish priest of Bugongo Parish. Meanwhile, the family of the late Claudius Kitimbo pledged to donate an additional five acres of land to the parish for the construction of a secondary school and a health centre.
The family had earlier donated four acres on which the parish was established.Frank Katimbo Kanyesigye, the LC III Chairperson of Wakyato Sub-county and son of the late Kitimbo, said the donation is intended to revive secondary education in the area after a privately owned school established by his father closed down.
He explained that the closure forced students to travel long distances in search of education, contributing to school dropouts and increasing the risk of early marriages among girls. Bernard Karamazi, a parishioner, welcomed the establishment of Bugongo Parish, saying it would not only strengthen the spiritual lives of residents but also attract social services such as education and healthcare, which would help address challenges, including early child marriages.
Bugongo is located about 40 miles along the Luweero-Butalangu–Ngoma Road from Kasana-Luweero Diocese and is one of the diocese’s most remote communities.Kasana-Luweero Diocese currently has 32 parishes. Communities in areas where parishes have been established have undergone significant development, driven by the Church’s establishment of schools, construction of health centers, and implementation of various socio-economic development initiatives-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
