Uganda today joins the rest of the world to mark the day of the African child a day commemorated every year on 16 June.
Main celebrations are taking place in Kayunga under the Theme Accelerating our Collective Efforts to End Child Marriage in Africa”
Almost two million Ugandan minors are forced or lured into alleged marriage, according to 2012 UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO report.
Uganda falls among the 15 worst African countries with high numbers of child brides at 46% of underage girls below 18 forced or lured in marriage.
In a move to end the worrying child marriages, the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) has appointed Dr Magie kigozi the children’s rights ambassador to help fight the vice.
Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) executive director Stella Ayo-Odongo explains that the move is intended to eradicate child “marriages”
By Joshua Mutale