The Chairperson of the Pornography Control Committee Dr. Annette Kezaabu Kasimbazi has said that most children in Uganda are exposed to pornography by accessing their parent’s electronic gadgets like mobile phones.
Addressing journalists recently, Dr. Kezaabu Kasimbazi said her committee had enlisted media support in educating the youth and students in the fight against pornography. She also disclosed that her committee the National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC) would work together develop a suitable packaging for the introduction anti-pornography lessons in schools.
“The Anti-pornography Act dictates that one of the many functions of this committee is to promote appropriate educational materials against pornography in the school curriculum in consultation with the government,” she noted.
Her disclosure came in the wake of heavy criticism from the public and individual critics following the committee’s announcement to include anti-pornography classes onto the school curriculum.
However, the chairperson emphasized the need for children to acquire the right education about pornography and its dangers from their parent’s and qualified persons or sources.
“We cannot close our eyes and say porn is not there in schools; these children will still learn these things in the hidden context,” she said of the fantasy love novels like ‘Mills and Boon’ that are found in most secondary schools’ libraries.
Dr. Kezaabu also clarified that the government never bought the anti-pornography machine but instead sourced various types of software that would enable the government to filter illicit content from the country’s cyberspace with the help of the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC).
She also expressed willingness to work with celebrity artistes but took swipe at some who dress indecently, saying they would be dealt with accordingly.
The committee members have of recent been on a countrywide sensitization campaign as part of its mandate to tackle pornography in the country and its recommendations will lead to the possible prosecution of errant consumers of porn beginning June 1.
