In Summary: Girls in Kamuli District have called for stronger protection against defilement, child marriage and gender-based violence, alongside improved menstrual hygiene support and opportunities for school dropouts to return to education. The call was made by 17-year-old Mary Bakhie Babirye, a Senior Five student who took over as executive director of HOLD Uganda for a girls’ leadership event, drawing attention to the challenges facing vulnerable girls in the Busoga region.
Kamuli, Uganda — Girls in Kamuli District have called for stronger protection against defilement, child marriage and gender-based violence, urging government and development partners to improve access to education, menstrual hygiene services and support for girls who drop out of school.
The girls also want local authorities to strengthen child protection measures and establish policies that enable young people to report abuse, access support services and participate in decisions affecting their lives.
The call was led by Mary Bakhie Babirye, 17, a Senior Five student at Busoga High School, who took over as executive director of HOLD Uganda during a girls’ leadership event organised by the organisation on Tuesday to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.
Babirye urged government leaders, civil society organisations and development partners to work together to create an environment in which girls can learn, lead and contribute to decisions that shape their futures.
“We need to build networks, protect the girl child and pass by-laws to end child and domestic violence and other practices that hinder development,” she said.
She said girls continue to face challenges including gender-based violence, early marriage, defilement and difficulties managing menstruation, which can disrupt their education and limit their participation in society.
Her concerns come amid continuing child protection challenges in the Busoga region, where police statistics have documented cases of sexual violence and assault.
According to the 2024 Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report, Busoga North Police Region registered 334 defilement cases out of 8,240 reported nationally. Buyende District accounted for 210 of the regional cases.
The region also recorded 942 assault cases out of 29,580 reported nationally, with Buyende accounting for 680 cases, according to the report.
The figures provide a regional backdrop to calls for stronger prevention, reporting and response mechanisms to protect children from violence and abuse.
From school dropout risk to girls’ leadership
Babirye also shared her personal experience of nearly dropping out of school before receiving support from HOLD Uganda, saying the intervention helped her continue her education and pursue her ambitions.
She recalled staying away from school for two weeks before learning from classmates that officials from the organisation were visiting to speak to girls about the challenges they faced.
“I sneaked back to school and, when the officials asked about the plight of girls, why they were dropping out and becoming pregnant, I stood up and told my story. I broke down in tears before I could finish,” she said.
Babirye said the organisation offered her counselling and promised to support her education on condition that she remained disciplined and worked hard.
She completed primary school at Kinaitakali, scoring 12 aggregates in the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), before joining Eron Secondary School in Irundu, where she obtained five Bs and three Cs. She is now studying biology, chemistry and mathematics at Busoga High School and hopes to become a health management counsellor.
Babirye said she wants to use her experience to help other children facing barriers to education, particularly girls who may be at risk of dropping out because of abuse, pregnancy or other social challenges.
She has also established school health clubs to promote health awareness and encourage girls to seek guidance on sexual and reproductive health.
The clubs provide a platform for discussions on menstrual hygiene, counselling and resilience, helping learners access information and support within their school communities.
Babirye urged parents to spend more time communicating with their children, while calling on government agencies and non-governmental organisations to strengthen referral systems for children facing abuse and other protection concerns.
Her experience illustrates how counselling, educational support and opportunities to participate in leadership can help vulnerable learners remain in school and plan for their futures.
School and civil society leaders call for collective action
Richard Bazibu, deputy headteacher in charge of administration at Busoga High School, commended Babirye for using her experience to encourage other girls to remain in school, value themselves and take responsibility for their future.
He said the school health clubs she initiated promote menstrual hygiene management, counselling and resilience among learners.
Charles Mudumba, executive director of HOLD Uganda, called for a coordinated approach to child protection, saying girls should be supported to learn, lead and make decisions about their lives.
He said allowing Babirye to take over the executive director’s office for the event demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to nurturing girls’ leadership and helping them overcome barriers such as early marriage and school dropout.
Mudumba added that giving children leadership responsibilities helps build their confidence and enables them to contribute to decisions affecting their communities.
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