L-R: Jason Evans (National Director for World Vision Uganda), Owek. Dr. Joyce Abaliwano Mulebeke, Owek. Dr. Joseph Muvawala at the signing ceremony at Bugembe
NEWS EDITOR
THE Kingdom of Busoga and World Vision Uganda on Saturday signed a 5 year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Kingdom Headquarters, Bugembe to end violence in communities and child marriages.
World Vision is currently operating only in Mayuge and Bugiri Districts of Busoga Kingdom.
The Kingdom Premier Owek. Dr. Joseph Muvawala noted that the coming on board of World Vision will go a long way in addressing the plight of the marginalized members of society.
“As a Kingdom, we are a home to all people within our geographical area. However, the issue of sexual and gender based violence is on the supersonic rise in the area thereby threatening efforts by the Kingdom led by the Kyabazinga to keep all girls in school”, Premier Muvawala said before challenging the top managers of the organization to establish other offices in Namayingo, Buyende, Luuka Districts that are highly hit by the targeted vices.
He said, “We all need to cherish and promote our cultural heritage in whatever we do. To us as a cultural institution,we are committed to supporting you whenever need arises. However, as partners in development, we need to be visible at all levels. Its therefore, high time that you established several offices in the hard to reach districts with many victims”.
At the same signing ceremony, the Premier also launched the 5 Year Strategic Plan for Ekigangu kya Busoga (2020/2021-2024/2025).
Relatedly, the Team Leader Ekigangu kya Busoga also State Minister for Gender, Women and Children Affairs, Owek. Dr. Joyce Abaliwano Mulebeke gave a chronology of events culminating into both the signing of the M.o.U and eventual launch of the 5 Year Strategic Plan highlighting the importance of using culture to end early marriages and keep girls in school.
George William Nyeko-Vice Chairperson Board World Vision Uganda said that the partnership was timely.
“Partnering with cultural institutions like Busoga Kingdom to address harmful social norms and practices that violate the rights of children has been our top priority. There’s no doubt that when the protective aspects of child efforts are grounded in cultural practices in the community,the impact can be far reaching and highly transformative”, he argued adding that the COVID-19 crisis has unveiled the magnitude of violence in our communities another silent pandemic that needs to be tackled.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. Currently, the organization is undertaking a 5 Year global campaign called “It takes a World” to end violence against children. Present at the joint events were Jason Evans (National Director World Vision), Irene Kagoya (Asosciate Director Advocacy), Edward Khaukha (Eastern Regional Program Area Manager), Diana Tibesigwa (Policy and Campaign’s Officer),Mathew Kok (Chief Finance Officer-Bidco Uganda Ltd), Plan International’s Carol, Owek. George William Mutyabule (Speaker Busoga Lukiiko), Owek.Florence Biruma (Deputy Speaker Busoga Lukiiko), Prince Ayub Banamwita (Hereditary Chief Butembe).
Others were Ekigangu Team members that included Peter Mwanja, Sarah Awebwa, Andrew Tenywa among others.
Both the launched Strategic Plan and M.o.U take immediate effect.
