By Claire N
Following Rt Rev. Bishop James William Ssebagala’s opinion of not allowing pregnant girls from attending their schools till they have sorted their issues at home, Different Religious and governmen leaders in Kabarole and Fort portal at large have given in their reactions.
In an interview with our reporter, Rt. Rev Reuben Kisembo Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese has Clarified that as C.O.U leaders, they are not blocking pregnant girls from accessing education from their schools, but rather are advising them to take their time and first deliver, breast feed their babies and resume for studies at a later stage. Bishop Kisembo adds that there shouldn’t be rush since studies have no age limit.
Msgr Isaiah Mayombo the Vicar General of Fort portal catholic diocese, has rather distrusted the above view saying that the girls should be allowed to continue with their studies as a way of empowering and supporting them in this hard situation.
Msgr Mayombo adds that the ministry of education policy is okay and shouldn’t be a question of charging the pregnant girls saying that some didn’t get pregnant because they were immoral but came along with the situation. He therefore says they should be given opportunity to persue their studies.
According to Nicholas Nuwagira the Deputy RDC Kabarole, Bishop Ssebagala’s opinion controversies with the countries education progress and Religious leaders should rather help the government in supporting and Promoting Education. He says girls should highly be encouraged to report back to school as a way of building their confidence and education careers.
Mean while from the Ministry of Health (Uganda Demographic Health Survey), Tooro Region has been ranked among the most affected regions in the country with a total of 11,660 in a period of 2017-2021 which means the policy will largely affect the victim girls in the region.
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