The Artisanal Miners who have been the main employers of children in the mines have agreed to join the fight against the exploitation of children and take them to school so that they have a better future. The miners formed a steering committee that oversees all the activities of the groups that are mining and protecting children from any form of abuse.
Dr Munir who has been in the International Service for 31 years has ended his professional journey in Uganda after spending over four years as a UNICEF country representative. Dr.Munir retires and will honorably return to his motherland - Sudan.
From 2019 - 2023, UNICEF supported the government of Uganda with funding from the Korean government to implement a water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools Programme. The program supported 92 primary and 8 secondary schools across 9 districts of Karamoja
The major focus was on WASH Infrastructure, and behavior change promotion intervention that comprises of climate resilient water system benefiting schools and nearby communities.
On Friday, over 300 learners from selected Nursery schools from all the nine districts of Karamoja gathered at Lomukura primary school in Kotido municipality to showcase some of their games in the learning through-play approach.
The Programme will target youth from the entire Karamoja region with a focus on Moroto, Nakapiripirit, and Kotido Districts. It will also achieve gender equity by targeting 50 percent girls and 50 percent boys.
Last year, legislators from the region, under the Karamoja Parliamentary Group, presented a proposal for a free compulsory boarding education policy for all learners. The aim was to
enroll Karamojong children into boarding schools for 15 years, aiming to break the cycle of warriorhood.
Tadious Loduk, a senior teacher at Lokamite Primary School acknowledged that the community has committed to support the infrastructure at the school amidst the little resources.
The team visited the community at Kanakomol village in Nadunget Sub-County before proceeding to inspect projects at Kasimeri Primary School and St. Daniel Comboni Technical Institute. Kasimeri Primary School is one of the 283 schools currently benefiting from Ireland's support, facilitated through UNICEF, to enhance access to quality education.
Twinomugisha stated that their main objective is to support children, particularly the most marginalized, who are disproportionately affected by climate change, to be part of the solution and influence decisions made by world and local leaders.
Anthony Sagal, a youth from Moroto district, emphasizes the importance of opening additional skilling centers to help them develop their skills and talents. He suggests that not all youth benefit from formal education, and there are those who have completed primary education but are in need of vocational training.
Kotido District speaker Emmanuel Lodio said that they are advocating for compulsory education for all karimojong children for 15 years because the Alternative Basic Education for Karamoja will keep the region trapped backwards.
The schools have been created in each kraal across Kotido district and it has attracted hundreds of learners, especially the herders who study in the morning hours and they spend the remaining time to rear their cattle.
Paul Lomanio, the former LC5 Kotido who is the programs overseer said that they have established twelve schools in every kraal with the total enrolment of over 400 learners aged between 6 years and 17 years old.
Lucy Akajo, the Karamoja Regional Coordinator for Uganda National Teacher Union attributed school poor performances to the negative attitude towards education among the communities in the region.
The most affected learners are girls aged between 7 and 12 years of age who are given additional responsibilities of caring for their young siblings while at school.
Rt Revd Joseph Abura, the bishop for Church of Uganda Karamoja diocese told URN that it is shameful to contain the young siblings at school because it frustrates the learning process for the caretaker.
Before the interventions, the girls who lacked access to safe water and sanitation faced significant at school which contributed to absenteeism and poor performances.
Dada Ross Romano, the Karenga District Education Officer told our reporter that he has been struggling to access results since Friday all in vain due to poor internet connectivity.
Emmanuel Kere from Karenga district who trained in welding and metal fabrication told URN that he grew up in cattle raids and changing his mind to believe that there are alternatives to making money was not easy.
The schools are Chepkararat Primary School in Amudat district and Kakamar Primary School in Kaabong district. They are among the five schools from the region considered for the National competition which kicked off on Monday in Kyotera district.
George Odongo, the Karamoja Regional Chairperson of Music, Dance, and Drama competition, says that although the schools managed to make it to the regional level, he is skeptical about their participation in the National competition due to inadequate funding.
Dr. Ochieng says with the available piece of land construction of the university campus can now start this financial year as the government hunts for another Shillings 4.4 billion to complete the compensation.
