Teso authorities warned on holiday makers

By Lawrence Okwakol  

Soroti: As holiday makers return to communities, local authorities in Teso have been challenged to ensure safety of students.

 The warning was made by David Okello the Governance and Accountability of Inter district Network  Uganda (GAIN)    in partnership with  Teso Anti-Corruption coalition  while facilitating the conversation on human and child trafficking at Odudui church of Uganda in Arapai Sub county Soroti District.

According to David Okello , said that  during holidays students are always taken to urban in search of petty jobs.

He said such jobs deter children from school and also get exploited. He revealed this at an engagement meeting which was organized by GAIN  Uganda on Wednesday in partnership with Teso  Anti+Corruption  with support from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung,A Germany based foundation  Resolutions for curtailing human and child trafficking;

Samson Okurut Emaasit the program manager of GAIN Uganda said it would be  his pleasure and benefit to the community if what participants resolved was implemented.

Okurut said Local council leaders should be taking stock of events in their areas and update the sub County chairperson following their resolutions.

 “Among other resolutions endorsed were monthly meetings to discuss village agendas. These meetings shall shape the state of affairs in the villages, .LCs should make a record of all school going children, they  should have a register of all person’s resident in his/her area”, Okurut said.

 Steven Okello the chairperson LC II of Odudui parish Arapai Sub County,Dakabela County Soroti district while giving opening remarks welcomed GAIN and emphasized need for accountability and monitoring of people especially youth involved in  rural urban migration.

Okello said parents should play their roles well to adduce children from  leaving  their homes because of harsh treatment and intolerable conditions .

“Early marriages and unwanted pregnancies by young girls is resulting poor parenting though poverty has-been blamed on it”,Okello said.

However, Stella Amero one of the participants said government especially through Uganda communications commission should verify the advertisements run by companies exporting unskilled labour to Middle East  on media.

Amero said some adverts cause dispose land as they are informed of huge pay.

She asked parents to stop thinking that as holidays are long, girls should engage in salons, this should be checked since such places are hotspots for courtship”, Amero said.