Officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports led by the Minister and First Lady, Janet Museveni were on Tuesday tasked to explain their failure to take actions against the perpetrators of sexual violence in schools and higher institutions of learning.
This was during an interface with legislators sitting on the Select Committee of Parliament chaired by Gomba West MP, Robinah Rwakojo that is investigating the rampant sexual violence in institutions of learning.
The issue was raised by Western Youth MP, Mwine Mpaka who noted that despite a number of cases of sexual violence in schools, non of the perpetrators has had their certificates and licenses revoked.
“Why is it that the Education Service Commission has failed to fire headtachers and teachers that have been found involved in sexual violence against students and pupils, but instead transferred them to different institutions?” Mwine inquired.
He gave an example of Lugazi Secondary School and Kibuli S S noting that the school’s Heads have never been fired despite being cited in sexual violence practices.
In response, the Minister noted that there is need for all stakeholders to join in the fight against sexual violence noting that this is a vice that stems from the broader society and later at higher institutions of learning.
“This issue cannot be handled by the Ministry alone. We can do what we are able to do but this involves all of us as members of the society in fighting the vice,” noted Janet Museveni.
On taking actions against the suspected perpetrators of sexual violence against students, Kataha noted that several reported cases end up being resolved out of court which gives the Ministry hard time to take actions against such a suspect who has been set free by Court.
“Because of lack of evidence against suspects, we are forced to keep them or sometime transfer them. Some of these suspects are so powerful and can buy off whoever is involved in the case including parents to the victims.”
The Ministry however noted that there has been a notable reduction in the number of sexual violence cases registered in institutions of learning.
According to the statistics provided by the Ministry officials, 25% of the school drop outs of girls is due to sexual violence that sometime end in pregnancies.
On this note, Minister Janet Museveni explained that the Ministry is coming up with a number of measures to fight sexual violence in schools including empowering children to report such acts.
She also said that the Ministry is rolling out sexuality education frame work where students will be sensitized on how to protect themselves from perpetrators.
The Minister appeared with John Chrysestom Muyingo, the State Minister for Higher Education.
