Inter Religious Council Condemns Increasing Gender Based Violence

The Inter Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has expressed concern over the rising number of cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the Co – chairperson Council of Presidents of IRCU who doubles as Archbishop of Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Dr Samuel Stephen Kazimba Mugalu called on homes to work together and curb violence.

“Fellow Ugandans, we have witnessed an increase of cases of Gender Based Violence during the lockdown. As religious leaders, we therefore appeal and encourage to work together to prevent GBV in our homes and communities and provide psycho social support to victims during the COVID-19 lockdown,” he said.

On matters HIV/AIDS and the forthcoming International candlelight memorial day slated to take place on 17th May 2020, Kazimba on behalf of IRCU called for an integrated and inclusive response that addresses all the ongoing initiatives on HIV/AIDS, malaria prevention, TB treatment and access to essential sexual and reproductive health services among others.

Failure to address the above, Kazimba said may lead to rise in maternal and new born morbidity, increased incidences of malaria cases, sexual transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, unplanned pregnancies and complications of childbirth.

“We therefore call upon Government, Development partners, and the civil society to make every effort to ensure that essential healthcare services including malaria prevention, HIV/AIDS and sexual reproductive health remain available during COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kazimba.

He added, “specifically we call upon HIV/AIDS service providers to avail at least three months’ supply drugs (ARVs) to people living with AIDS during this time.”

The Inter Religious Council of Uganda in partnership with United Nations Entity for Population and Development (UNFPA) will lead this year’s candlelight memorial day on 17th May.

The International candlelight memorial day is a day when communities stand in solidarity with those who lost their loved ones to AIDS.

However, this year’s candlelight memorial day will be celebrated “scientifically” without assemblies due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The theme for this year is “ending AIDS: faith communities in action.”

Photo: Archbishop Kazimba interacting with Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo and Internal Affairs Ministry spokesperson Jacob Siminyu at Uganda Media Center on Wednesday.