In order to allegedly protect young people from online pornography, attackers, and disrespectful social media comments, the government of Uganda has recently committed to shut all pornographic websites.
The Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children (UPFC) in Kampala hosted high-level policymakers on finance for youth yesterday, and Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker of parliament, presided over it.
He noted that the government should control websites where minors may view adult content.
"Our children are exposed to cartoons of violence, our teens are exposed to pornography. In Muslim countries, pornography is blocked. Tell me how much we can lose as an economy if we blocked pornography sites in the country. Pornography is killing us," Tayebwa outlined.
The deputy speaker also instructed the Minister of Youth and Children Affairs to collaborate with other ministries, such as that of ICT and National Guidance, in order to take a page from Muslim nations that have effectively prevented minors from accessing pornographic websites.
Additionally, Tayebwa advised parents to return to the traditional African view that a child is raised by their community.
The deputy speaker's request to restrict pornographic websites will be taken into consideration, Dr. Baryomunsi told media.
Likewise, Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, Uganda's minister for youth and children's affairs, lamented the meager resources given to her office.
Uganda does not have a single budget for child protection, according to Margaret Makhoha, the chairman of the UPFC. Instead, funding for this purpose is distributed among a number of programs, sub-programs, and activities throughout the several government ministries, departments, and organizations.
According to her, building management information systems to protect children is more difficult due to the multi-agency structure of child protection than it is to create cohesive, integrated child protection systems.
Makhoha pleaded with industry participants to make sure that children's concerns are given top attention in the nation.