Religious leaders have raised concern over rising child poverty, school dropouts, and parental neglect in Uganda, warning that millions of children remain vulnerable despite interventions by churches and humanitarian organizations.
Speaking during a consultative meeting organized by Compassion International, Paul Hanington Suubi, Bishop of the East Busoga Diocese, said poverty and unemployment were forcing many children out of school, particularly in rural communities.
Bishop Suubi said many parents in Busoga, especially in Bugiri District and Namayingo District, fail to provide basic school requirements such as uniforms, scholastic materials, and meals despite government support under Universal Primary and Secondary Education programmes.
"Many parents take children to school without uniforms, without scholastic materials and largely without lunch. If children do not eat, they will not stay in school," Bishop Suubi said.
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He added that the burden of supporting families had largely fallen on women, while many men remained unemployed and unproductive.
"For us who are in rural dioceses, the women work the whole day while many of the men are just seated, yet they expect to eat," he said.
The bishop warned that lack of parental support and guidance had contributed to increasing school dropout rates and child vulnerability.
He, however, commended Compassion International for supporting disadvantaged children through education sponsorship, vocational training, counseling, and spiritual mentorship.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Ahimbisibwe, the National Director of Compassion International Uganda, revealed that more than 9.5 million children in Uganda are still living in extreme poverty.
Ahimbisibwe said the organization currently supports more than 161,000 children across the country through education, child protection, household income, and spiritual development programmes.
"We are facing the reality that over 9.5 million children are still living in extreme poverty, yet the resources available cannot reach all of them," Ahimbisibwe said.
According to him, more than 90,000 youths have completed the organization's programmes and are now working in government institutions, NGOs, and other sectors.
Ahimbisibwe also highlighted improvements in child welfare indicators, including reductions in infant mortality and increased access to clean water and sanitation facilities in supported communities.
He, however, warned that child labour, neglect, and inadequate parental care remain major challenges affecting children across the country.
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"Child protection and safeguarding is still one of the major challenges we are struggling with," he said.
The religious leaders called for stronger community involvement, mindset change campaigns, and increased support for vulnerable families to keep children in school and improve their welfare.
