By Spy Uganda
The Minister for Labour, Gender and Social Development Frank K. Tumwebaze, is set to address men and boys in Uganda on how they can undertake all their responsibilities during and after the COVID-19 lockdown.
This will be done during a televised discussion on NBS TV to be held from 2:00-4:00Pm today Saturday, June 20 and tomorrow Sunday 21, 2020, same time, under the theme; ‘Building Positive Masculinity Under and Post COVID-19.’
The discussion will be interactive, whereby the moderator will allow viewers to call in and ask the Minister questions, send SMS or follow the discussion on all social media platforms.
TheSpy Uganda has learnt that Minister Tumwebaze’s discussion is aimed at identifying ways to enhance the progressive role of men and boys in society, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also among the key issues will be the role of men in either averting or promoting domestic violence, gender based violence, plus other crimes against the girl child committed by men and boys.
The Minister will also be joined by H.E Rosa Malango, the UN Resident Coordinator, Uganda, who will be a keynote Speaker during the discussion.
Other discussants will be Buganda Katikiro Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, Sheikh Mufti Mubajje, to mention but a few.
It should be noted that acts of Gender Based Violence in Uganda have surged ever since government announced the COVID-19 lockdown in March this year.
Actually, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in April issued a stern warning to perpetrators of domestic violence against women and children during the COVID-19 period.
Minister Tumwebaze told the media that there had been an increase in gender-based violence (GBV) as the country is under lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Some of these cases have already claimed lives of Ugandans even before COVID-19 does so,” Tumwebaze said, noting that between March 30 and April 28, a total of 3,280 cases of GBV were reported to police.
This is in addition to 283 cases of Violence Against Children, according to the ministry. Tumwebaze said those found guilty would face the law.
“These acts of violence degrade the dignity of humanity and are therefore unacceptable. The perpetrators of this vice must be dealt with decisively and in a timely manner in accordance with the law,” the Minister said.
He urged law enforcement agencies like the police to act tough against GBV.
