KARAMOJA, UGANDA — Dr. Mercy Faith Lakisa, Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Youth and Children Affairs and Woman Member of Parliament for Alebtong District, has officiated at the launch of the Uganda Hotspot Programme, a targeted initiative aimed at ending child and forced marriages in the Karamoja sub-region.
The programme seeks to strengthen child protection, empower young girls and mobilise communities to address harmful socio-cultural practices that threaten children’s rights, education and future opportunities. The initiative focuses on creating safer environments where children can grow up with dignity and freedom to pursue their aspirations.
Min. Lakisa described the programme as an important milestone in Uganda’s efforts to protect children and advance the rights of young girls. The initiative is intended to strengthen community-led solutions and promote coordinated action against practices that expose children to early and forced marriages.
The minister emphasised that eliminating child and forced marriages requires more than government policies and legislation. She called for shared responsibility among traditional leaders, local communities, government institutions and international development partners to address the underlying causes of these harmful practices.
Traditional and community leaders are expected to play an important role in changing attitudes and promoting practices that safeguard children. Through community engagement, awareness campaigns and cooperation with relevant institutions, stakeholders can help challenge harmful beliefs and strengthen protection mechanisms for vulnerable girls.
Education remains central to efforts to protect young girls from early and forced marriages. Keeping children in school provides them with opportunities to acquire knowledge, develop skills and build independent futures. The programme highlights the importance of ensuring that every child receives the support needed to continue learning and achieve their potential.
The initiative also underscores the importance of building sustainable protection networks through cooperation between government agencies, community structures and development partners. Such collaboration can help identify children at risk, strengthen responses to cases of abuse and connect vulnerable families with appropriate support services.
Min. Lakisa further stressed the need to ensure that every child, regardless of background, enjoys safety, freedom and the support necessary to pursue their dreams. Her message reinforces the importance of placing children’s welfare at the centre of community development and ensuring that young girls are valued, protected and empowered.
The launch of the Uganda Hotspot Programme marks a renewed commitment to addressing child and forced marriages in Karamoja. Its long-term success will depend on effective implementation, sustained community participation and the continued commitment of all stakeholders to translating the programme’s objectives into tangible improvements in the lives of children and young girls.
