Photo Credit: http://adesojiadegbulu.com

Uganda today joins the rest of the world to mark the day of the African child, a day commemorated every year on 16 June, with Dr. Maggie Kigozi appointed Children’s Rights Ambassador. Main celebrations are taking place in Kayunga under the Theme “Accelerating our Collective Efforts to End Child Marriage in Africa” The day was created by the African Union to commemorate the massacre of hundreds of children in Soweto, South Africa who were demonstrating for the basic right to a decent education. It has since to focus a global spotlight on the injustices African children face. This year it points the light to child brides.

Almost two million Ugandan minors are forced or lured into alleged marriage, according to 2012 UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO reportS. Uganda falls among the 15 worst African countries with high numbers of child brides at 46% of underage girls below 18 forced or lured into marriage.

In a move to end the worrying child marriages, the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) has appointed Dr Magie Kigozi as the Children’s Rights Ambassador to help fight the vice. Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) Executive Director Stella Ayo-Odongo explains that the move is intended to eradicate child marriage.