The nine member select committee that was early last year tasked to investigate the rampant reported cases of sexual violence in schools and higher institutions of learning, on Monday released their findings.
Parliament set up the committee following media allegations of sexual harassment and violence in schools and institutions of higher learning, April last year Head teacher of Kibuli Secondary School in Kampala was sent on forced leave over allegations of sexual harassment. Another media expose also exposed lecturers demanding for sex in exchange for favours from female students at Makerere University.
Releasing the report at Parliament, committee chaired by Gomba East MP, Robinah Rwakojo said: “We were shocked to find out that girls find it easier to give in sex for marks in order to secure graduation. The girls said ‘we give in because this resource doesn’t get exhausted.”
Rwakoojo explained that the problem with cases of sexual Sexual violence involving young girls is that girls end up being destroyed. Their health deteriorates and others never ever want to see men in their lives.
“These girls suffer; they have to sleep with men to get marks, sleep with men to get a job, sleep with men to get a trip. I think some lectures need to be assessed before employment, some of them might have been village rapists but with brains” Hon. Rwakoojo said.
Rwakoojo says that some of the students they interfaced with on Sexual Violence were afraid to give information. One, they thought they would be compromised and would be in trouble with school authorities.
She added: “In Makerere University, seven lectures were accused of sexual violence. When we were at St Lawrence University and Kibuli secondary school we found out girls who were afraid of going home for fear of being raped by their fathers”.
Recommendations
“In some schools structures enable Sexual Violence, some have poor lighting so girls walk in the dark during the night, in others girls bathe from outside. We recommend that all girl’s schools should be fenced”
Hon Anthony Okello called on government to enhance facilities that manage the aftermath of Sexual violence.
He added: “I want to encourage the public to keep alerting authorities on cases of #SexualViolence. You can even alert your area member of Parliament on such cases. This will strengthen our recommendation as Parliament.”
Other members of the select committee included; Hon Gideon Onyango, Hon Mary Kabanda, Hon Steven Kisa, Hon Anthony Okello, Hon Sarah Kityo, Hon Joshua Anywarach, Hon Godfrey Atikins and Hon Mwine Mpaka.
