Religious leader in Uganda condemn child marriage

Bishop of Ruwenzori diocese Rt.Rev Rueben Kisembo Amooti has condemned the act of parents forcing girls into child marriage that is reportedly on increase in the region.

Uganda has the sixteenth highest prevalence of child marriage in the world, and tenth highest absolute number of child brides totaling to an estimated 4 million. Current statistics indicate that 34 per cent of women are married before the age of 18 and 7.3 per cent before the age of 15.

Bishop Kisembo while speaking to our reporter in his office in Fort Portal said as religious leaders they strongly condemn the act of parents marrying off their young daughters instead of encouraging them to study for the betterment of their future. He cautions the parents to understand that when these girls get married at a tender age, produce early, fail to take care of their babies, suffer the effects of Gender Based Violence and poverty.

He called on the parents to style up , refrain from the bad cultural practice and focus on the future of their girls.