Pader leaders, SOS children’s villages strengthen child protection through children’s parliament

4 July 2026, 9:22 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

Pader District Local Government and SOS Children’s Villages Uganda have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening child protection by using the Children’s Parliament as a platform that enables children to speak directly to leaders about the challenges affecting their lives and education.

The Children’s Parliament brought together pupils from eight primary schools across Ogom Sub-county, Pukor Sub-county and Pader Town Council, who openly shared the challenges contributing to school dropout and child rights violations in their communities.

The learners identified poverty, child neglect, corporal punishment, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, child labour, sexual abuse and defilement, early marriages, long distances to school, auction days conducted during school days, hunger in some households, alcohol abuse among parents and inadequate parental support as some of the major factors keeping children out of school.

Speaking during the session, Sandra Blessing Amongi of Pader Aluka Primary School appealed to parents to prioritise education by providing scholastic materials and protecting children from abuse, saying many learners continue to miss school because of neglect and poverty, children with the technology coming up.

Vincent Kinyera of Ogom Telela Primary School said child labour, market auction days held during school hours, hunger and drunkenness among some parents continue to force many children to abandon school before completing their education.

Tamale Agenorwot of Olambyera Primary School added that child labour, negative peer influence and lack of commitment by some learners also contribute to school dropout.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Rwotomiya of Pagwari Primary School called for stricter action against parents who deliberately fail to send their children to school and urged government to intensify community sensitisation on the importance of education.

Responding to the concerns raised by the children, the Area Programmes Manager of SOS Children’s Villages Uganda, Stephen Tabu, said the Children’s Parliament was established to give children a safe platform to express issues affecting their lives while enabling leaders to listen and respond appropriately.

Speaking during the engagement held at the Community Boardroom at Pader District Headquarters on Thursday, Tabu said children have consistently used the platform to raise concerns about domestic violence, corporal punishment, child neglect and increasing cases of sexual abuse and defilement.

He said listening directly to children’s experiences enables government officials, schools and development partners to better understand the realities they face and develop appropriate interventions.

Tabu commended Pader District Local Government for its continued collaboration since SOS Children’s Villages Uganda began implementing child protection programmes in the district in 2022.

He said, with support from ERIKS Development Partner, the organisation has trained parents on positive parenting practices to help them understand children’s rights and fulfil their responsibilities by providing education, guidance and safe home environments.

He added that SOS Children’s Villages has also organised community and school dialogue meetings bringing together parents, teachers, local leaders and education stakeholders to discuss school attendance, learner welfare and child protection.

According to Tabu, the engagements have contributed to improved school attendance in several beneficiary schools after communities were encouraged to take greater responsibility for ensuring children remain in school.

He appealed to parents, teachers and community leaders to continue listening to children’s concerns and work together to create safe environments where every child can grow, learn and realise their full potential.

Representing the Chief Administrative Officer, Principle Assistant Secretary Administration Joyce Ongee welcomed the discussions, saying she was encouraged by proposals to use the Sub-county Policing Model to strengthen enforcement of children’s right to education.

Ongee said police officers deployed at sub-county level can work closely with local leaders to identify and follow up cases where parents deliberately fail to send their children to school, describing the trend as increasingly worrying across the district.

She also encouraged stakeholders to popularise the Pader District Education Ordinance enacted in 2011 instead of focusing solely on drafting a new law, noting that only a few provisions require revision to address emerging challenges.

Ongee further called for the induction of newly elected local leaders so they clearly understand their responsibilities in promoting education and protecting children’s rights within their communities.

She urged SOS Children’s Villages Uganda to continue supporting the eight participating schools as model schools, saying the successes achieved there could be replicated across the district to improve learning outcomes and child protection.

Present were, Richard Ojok Olal, who moderated the meeting, Boniface Pule the assistant resident district Commissioner for Pader, Filder Lalam the assistant Education Officer Pader, Festo Okidi the district community development officer among others including local leaders from the two sub counties of Pukor, Ogom and Pader Town Council.