UGANDA: Catholic Communicators in Uganda join forces to tackle

domestic violence
at Apostolic Social Centre in Lira Diocese
for the priests and religious.

Msgr. John Baptist Kauta,

Secretary General UEC

As part of the ongoing Uganda Episcopal

Conference (UEC) national campaign
against domestic violence, the Diocesan
Communication Coordinators and the
Directors of Catholic Radio in Uganda
joined forces on March 24-25 at St.
Augustine Institute in Kampala, for a
workshop
on
domestic
violence
prevention.
The two-day workshop, which attracted a
total of 30 Catholic communicators, was
held under the theme, Shared Decisions,
Shared Development, Shared Happiness,
and was aimed at increasing the
knowledge and understanding of pastoral
communicators in investigating and
reporting on domestic violence and, equip
them
with
proper
channels
of
communications in the prevention
campaign.
This is the third workshop on domestic
violence to be organized this year by UEC
in
partnership
with
the
Irish
organizations, Trocaire and Irish Aid. The
first workshop was held on February 2526 at Foyer De Charite, Namugongo in
Kampala for the priests of Lugazi Diocese,
and the second one took place on March 3

Mrs. Kwesigabo, National

Program Officer, Domestic Violence
Prevention Desk UEC

In her presentation, the National

Programmer Officer for the Domestic
Violence Prevention Desk of UEC, Mrs
Kwesigabo; described domestic violence
as any act or practice that result in a
physical,
sexual,
physiological
or
economic harm or suffering to the victim
especially intimate partners.
Most men use their control and power
over women and as a result it is the
women that suffer greatly, with at times,
nobody come to their rescue, she noted
adding The media can make a change
and reduce the spate of domestic violence
through
continuous
reporting
on
occurrences and endeavoring to preach
against the perpetration of such violence
against women and girls in our society.
She, in that regard, was calling the
communicators to make good use of the
workshop as it will help them build their
capacity in reporting on such matters as
well as link them to campaign against
domestic violence in their communities.

By accurately covering domestic violence

cases, the communicators can make a
significant difference in helping families
and communities understand how
domestic violence can be disastrous in the
society, she said.
The UEC Executive Secretary of
Pastoral/Liturgical
Department,
Fr
Ssemogerere lauded the initiative of the
department, especially at this time when
domestic violence is posing a menace in
our society.

are a unique caliber and not just

journalists. You communicate to change
hearts and win souls for Christs sake;
therefore you are part and person of this
campaign, he said.
In his presentation, the UEC Executive
Secretary for Social Communications
Department Fr Phillip Odii stated that the
communicators can adopt the use of new
media, also known as social media, to help
in tackling domestic violence. He said that
the use of online social networking sites is
increasingly common, fast, and new sites
and new features are still coming up all
the time.
However he cautioned the participants to
avoid the misuse of social networking
sites, like Facebook, stating, It is
important to know the risks, as well as
the realities relating to ones safety and
privacy online.

Group Photo of Workshop Participants

He encouraged the communicators to cast
the curtains of silence aside and speak the
truth to enable people hear the victims of
domestic violence and take action. You

The function concluded with remarks

from the Chief Guest, Msgr. John Baptist
Kauta, who is also the UEC Secretary
General.

By Jacinta Wangalwa Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference