The Bishop of Kasese diocese, Rt. Rev Francis Aqvirinus Kyibira has condemned acts of taking marijuana and cocaine among students in different schools across the country.
“Drugs are now everywhere in this country and are in many schools which has made our children fail to concentrate in schools and even at the universities,” the Bishop said.
Bishop Kyibira disclosed this over the weekend during a parents’ Annual General Meeting held at Buryansungwe Secondary School in Kitagwenda County Kamwenge district.
He attributed the rampant drug abuse to the Western culture which African children are copying regularly.
“Actually, today the situation of this country is changing a lot and we have influences that are coming from Europe, America and other parts of the world. Our children already at a very early age are learning certain habits which we in 1960s, 70s, and 80s did not know about,” the cleric said in his address.
According to Bishop Kyibira, most students have dropped from school as a result of abusing drugs, while other students resort to faking illnesses and seek permission to go home only to end up in spots where they take drugs.
Away from marijuana, Bishop Kyibira warned parents to shun visiting witchdoctors to acquire fetishes for school children.
“We found out that there are some parents who give fetishes to students when they come to school claiming that these fetishes will protect or give them knowledge. This ruins the initiative of our students in working hard during the school time,” the Bishop added.
“How can students be given that kind of spirit to trust fetishes? It’s you parents who give fetishes to destroy the future of your children”.
He asked parents and their children to attach their lives only to God instead of believing in witchcraft.
On his part, Peter Nsiimire, the Ibanda district Inspector of Schools also urged parents to always review their children’s performance in class.
“Parents you have a very big role to play whenever you come for class meetings always monitor the performance of your children since he/she started schooling” said Nsiimire.
