HOIMA, UGANDA: Human Rights Activists have expressed concern over the increasing rate of incest cases including young girls in Kyabigambire Sub county in Hoima District.
Incest includes a child having sex with brother, a child with a parent, or a child with other relatives.
Since the Covid 19 pandemic broke out in Uganda, insest cases have been rampant in various families in Kyabigambire Sub county and many young girls’ sexual rights have been violated and others impregenanted by their relatives.
This report was revealed during the International Men’s Day celebrations in Hoima District at Kyabigambire Sub county headquarters organised by Reproductive Health Uganda under the theme “A good relationship between Men and Women”.
Catherine Kobusinge Kamanyire the Hoima Network of Child Rights Club (HONECRIC) Executive director says 20% of the sexual harassment cases received during the lockdown are connected to insest.
“Some of these cases are not reported by the parents of these young girls due to fear of being ashamed in the community and some mothers completely with hold such cases intentionally and in the end their children’s sexual rights being violated”. Kamanyire said.”
Am calling upon all stakeholders to prevail conditions that will help a girl child leave freely in terms of her sexual rights”. Kamanyire added.
Pius Wakabi Rujumba the Bugahya County Legislator attributes insest cases in Kyabigambire Sub county to poverty.
“Some these cases are due to poverty where by some of young girls from poor families are forced to have sex with their relatives who are financially stable so as to make a living”. Hon. Wakabi said.
Hon. Phillip Katahoire the minister for external affairs in Bunyoro Kingdom condemns such acts and adds that incest is not accepted in the Bunyoro cultural norms.
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