I joined Karate in March 2009 when the Sure Start team visited our school and set up a club.
I thought this was just another new game that I needed to be involved in since I am a sports girl at school who jumped at any sporting opportunity that presented itself. I love sports and this one seemed interesting. It was karate.

Karate did not only teach me the physical exercise, it taught me many other disciplines that totally transformed my life.

During the karate training we were taught self discipline, self defence and a few weeks later, my confidence started to manifest. Even though I loved sports, I was shy around boys. Now I can challenge both boys and girls in both sports and academics.

Also, as a girl growing up in a traditional African community, I did not know that children had any rights until our gender trainer explained to us that children had rights too and we the girls were entitled to as much rights as boys. Armed with information on relationships, gender related issues and HIV/AIDS, I was ready to stand up against the myths that surround our participation as girls in the affairs that concern us.

At the end of the training, we were passed out as trainers in a colourful ceremony that marked the launch of the Sure Start project. I confidently led my team during the final school demonstration at the Lions Children’s Park, Tororo.

The new members have elected me as their chairperson and junior trainer.
I have gained respect from the girls that I train in my school.

I am determined to stay in school so that I can help other girls.
I thank MIFUMI and Women Win for your continued support to my school and our Karate club.

Awor Sylvia,
MIFUMI Primary School

First there is the absentee demi- god father who you only get to see either at dinner time or when you have been summoned in his presence. His loyalty and attention shifts from you and your mother and is divided among his numerous wives. You almost do not know that man because you never talk much. You were raised by your mother who reveres him. To you he becomes the father you may never get to know.

Then there are jealousies and rivalries among your several mothers as each competes for affection and resources for themselves and their children and her children. Sometimes you get caught between these arguments and fights and wonder what you did wrong to deserve all this.

If it so happens that your mother dies, leaving you with this already absentee father and several step mothers, you will automatically take on all the tongue and physical lashing intended for your mother. But what do you know, you are only a child. You are also most likely to be used as cheap labour by your other mothers.
Your absentee father is nowhere to notice your suffering and you need to bond with him now that your mother is gone.

There are more chances for you as a child to be abused, neglected and denied your basic rights in a polygamous home than with divorced parents.

And if it so happens that you are the oldest of the children and you luckily got an education, you will never enjoy the fruits of your labour as three quarters of your life will be spent raising and educating your numerous siblings. You inherit your father’s sins.

Polygamy has no place in our capitalist times characterized with credit crunches and poverty.

In June 2010 I read 3 Ugandan local publications on the girl Child with both cheer and concern. Cheer, on the fact that President Yoweri Museveni is definitely leading by example, by refusing to deny his daughters his unconditional, unbiased love.

Concern, that despite all efforts put in by both the government of Uganda and Human rights organisations, the girl child is still the most disadvantaged person in the world.

The girl child in Africa has continued to suffer in the hands of cultural biases because what stakeholders are doing is treating the symptoms to the disease. The cause of many of the African child abuses are rooted in our cultures.

A few weeks ago I visited the office of the RDC of Tororo District, Mr. Hashaka S. Mpimbaza and I was moved by how passionately he took on the plight of the children in the district most especially cases of Girl child abuse that flood his desk almost every day (His office has a desk for child abuse).

While a few boast about their cultural values, the rural village girl is crying out for a chance to be a child and grow up to realise their full potential.

Bride Price;
The media have highlighted many pathetic stories of Bride price related child abuse where children as young as 10 have been married off for material gain as little as 500 Ug.shs. This raises a question on whether some adults are really capable of unconditional love.
Some may say they don’t practice ‘Bride Price’ rather exchange gifts.

This does not change two facts;
-That many children get caught up in this exchange of prices or gifts.
-That you will by all means have to take expensive ‘gifts’ whether you have them or have to borrow to keep up appearances (not demanded but expected or insinuated). Worse still today’s Uganda has set a new standard to the ‘gift’ pack that is why we are caught up in a series of introduction meeting each week.

I must commend Atuki Turner of MIFUMI for fearlessly taking on fight for a reform in the Practice of Bride price which mostly affects children. Many who saw the plight of these children cowered away in the shadows.

Bride Price or whatever fancy modified name it goes by today definitely needs a reform.

Mifumi Primary School has been chosen as a model sports school in Tororo district.
It is to implement Physical Education and Sports (PES) as indicated in the syllabus and guidelines set.

These include Athletics, football, netball volleyball, Karate for girls, Debate, Music, Dance and Drama, Children’s Congress Art/Crafts and Scouting.

Other behavioural change programs include; Guidance and Counselling,
Sex education and HIV/AIDS during the Presidential Initiative on AIDS Strategy for Communication (PIASCY) Week s