أخبار

Themed "Creating a Safe Space for Children: End Violence Against Children,"GNRC Uganda committee was launched on 14th September 2022 in a hybrid event that took place in Gulu, Northern Uganda. The launch was the twelfth, in the bid to strengthen and reinvigorate the GNRC at the grassroots. Participants included faith leaders from different religious backgrounds, men, women, and children. 

Mr. Geoffrey Omony, GNRC Uganda Coordinator introduced the committee members and informed the participants that the aim of the committee was to ensure that children’s rights are protected. Children fully participated in the launch. Some like Bongowat, Aweko, and Ayers recited a poem, emphasizing the need for, and importance of child participation, and the joy to speak their minds and be heard.

Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali, Secretary General, GNRC, commended GNRC Uganda for the work they continue to do. "GNRC Uganda is unique as it is based in rural Uganda, where children had been recruited into violent gangs in the past,” he said. He thanked GNRC Uganda for creating safe spaces for children, especially in Northern Uganda, and encouraged the coordinators to work closely in advocating for the rights and well-being of children in Uganda.

Rev. Fred Nyabera, Director, End Child Poverty (ECP), congratulated GNRC Uganda for the launch and urged the committee members to harness and leverage on their abilities to further achieve their vision. He informed the participants of the ECP@10 campaign, urging them to visit the ECP website to make their pledges towards ending child poverty and thanked them for committing to plant 1000 trees for the ECP@10 campaign.   

Ms. Maria Lucia Uribe, Director, Ethics Education, acknowledged and congratulated GNRC Uganda for actively allowing children to participate during the launch. She noted, "Children need to be at the center of attention because they are the voices that we need to hear and that is imperative." 

Ms. Nageeba Hassan, Co-coordinator, GNRC Uganda, gave an overview of their work. She described the impact of COVID-19 in Uganda on teenage pregnancies and called for multi-stakeholder cooperation to have proper parent-child communication.

Dr. Dorcas Kiplagat, GNRC Network and Programs Coordinator, spoke of the important role that Youth Leaders for Restoration and Development (YOLRED) organization, had played in helping child soldiers, and thanked Sheikh Musa Khalil for helping the youth achieve GNRC Uganda's goals.  

Dr. Ali pronounced GNRC Uganda committee officially launched, and to symbolize the launch, GNRC Uganda members wrote their pledges to protect children’s rights and well-being.