By Philip Opio
SOROTI — Leaders in Teso sub-region have called on parents to uphold children’s rights and provide basic needs, warning that failure to do so is fueling school dropouts and moral decline among young people.
The call was made by Francis Egudu, the Community Development Officer of Ocokican Sub-county in Soroti District, who noted a worrying trend of parents neglecting their responsibilities.
“It has been observed that many parents are violating children’s rights, and this is contributing to cases of children abandoning their homes,” Egudu said.
He emphasized that parents are legally and morally obligated to provide essential needs such as shelter, education, healthcare, clothing, and food.
Egudu further linked the rise in school dropouts to lack of parental care and support, saying many children are forced out of school due to neglect.
“Children need love, guidance, and support. When these are missing, their education and future are put at risk,” he added.
Moses Odeke, the district councilor for Ocokican Sub-county, echoed the concerns, stressing the need for equal provision of basic needs among all children to promote unity and fairness within families.
“It is important that every child is treated equally and given the necessary support to grow,” Odeke said.
Stephen Ebunyu, the sub-county chairperson, also criticized parents who fail to fulfill their responsibilities, saying such behavior undermines children’s dreams and future opportunities.
“Many parents are deliberately failing their children by not playing their roles in the family,” Ebunyu noted.
Meanwhile, Soroti District chairperson-elect Bob Owiny urged parents to embrace early planning to ensure they can adequately provide for their families.
“Parents must plan ahead to meet the needs of their children. This is key to building responsible and successful future generations,” Owiny said.
Leaders warned that unless parents take their responsibilities seriously, the region risks facing increased cases of school dropout, child neglect, and social challenges among the youth.
