Kampala, Uganda – In a bold and controversial statement, Dr. Joseph Muvawala Nsekere, the Katukiro (Prime Minister) of Busoga Kingdom, has proposed a unique measure to address the rising cases of teenage pregnancies and child marriages in the region. Speaking at a recent function in Jinja, Muvawala suggested that clan leaders should impose caning as a punishment for men who impregnate young girls.
“Clan leaders should punish their own men by caning them, naming, and shaming them. This is within the ambits of the law, and no one shall be charged for doing so,” Muvawala stated. He emphasized that such practices are rooted in Kisoga culture and were historically used to maintain discipline within the community.
Under this proposal, clans with higher instances of teenage pregnancies would also be held accountable for failing to protect young girls. “We shall not beat to kill but to punish them. Spare the rod and spoil the child,” he added, advocating for a cultural intervention rather than legal repercussions.
The announcement has sparked heated debate across Busoga, with some community members expressing concern over potential wrongful accusations, especially in cases where young girls may have multiple partners. Conversely, others support the measure, citing alarming statistics that indicate over 130,530 girls aged 15 to 19 became pregnant in Busoga recently.
The Kingdom has been intensifying efforts alongside international organizations to combat child marriages and teenage pregnancies. Earlier this month, the United Nations launched a campaign dubbed Abasadha n’Empango to address these pressing issues.