By KT Reporter
Gulu City National Resistance Movement aspirant for the Bardege-Layibi Division in Gulu City, Robinson Oryema Ogeri, has pledged support to single mothers within the city.
In an interview with URN, Ogeri revealed that the incumbent Member of Parliament for the constituency has failed to address the problems facing single mothers in the area.
Ogeri, who is vying for the seat to unseat Hon. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi under the NRM ticket, told URN that his number one agenda will be to empower vulnerable persons within the constituency, including single mothers.
He further noted that despite the presence of the Northern Uganda Presidential Hub, many vulnerable persons, including street children and single mothers, have not been enrolled in skills programs.
Ogeri explained that most leaders in the region have failed to support single mothers in the city, thus compounding their problems. He revealed that his team is making efforts to support these women.
He further noted that once the issues of single mothers are resolved, the community of Gulu City will experience a positive and lasting solution to the rising number of street children because the mothers would be empowered.
According to Ogeri, other people might have support to take care of their problems, but single mothers are overburdened with challenges. His team has taken it upon themselves to assess their challenges to find ways to empower and support them.
Esther Akullu, a daughter of a single mother in Layibi Teco, Bardege-Layibi Division, told URN that her mother has been overburdened with finding survival means for herself and her other siblings.
Akullu revealed that her mother worked tirelessly with no one supporting her, and the worst part is the Acholi traditional stereotype, where the community looks down on mothers and girls as unimportant.
She further explained that the community undervalued women’s capabilities and did not appreciate them due to the traditional stereotypes that have been ingrained in the Acholi community.
Akullu, however, urged leaders to come forward and support single mothers in the city, explaining that by empowering them, they would also be empowering the girl-child and the children who are now flooding the streets of Gulu City-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
