The Inter Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has launched its pastoral letter on HIV/AIDS, Gender Based Violence (GBV), small size families and maternal health in the country.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters at Old Kampala.
In his remarks while launching the letter, the IRCU Chairman also Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubajje said as religious leaders, they have embarked on addressing the core issues that are affecting majority of Ugandans.
On ending AIDS as a public health threat, Sheikh Mubajje noted that many people including religious leaders have died of HIV/AIDS related illnesses.
He called upon all Ugandans, the government, development partners and people of good will to work together and end AIDS because it does affect all people regardless of religion, sex, age and economic status.
He denounced teenage pregnancy saying that it is a result of failed parenting.
The Mufti stated that the education of a pregnant girl child quickly comes to a painful end, rendering the future prospects of such a child very dim.
“In addition, these pregnant teenage girls face a higher risk of long-term consequences during pregnancy and childbirth, including high rates of maternal death and obstetric fistula” the Mufti said. He appealed to young people to abstain from sex and focus on staying in school.
Mubajje also condemned gender based violence perpetrators and called for improved maternal health stressing that “no mother should die while giving birth to life”. He also urged husbands to treat their wives as partners, not subjects.
“To you the fathers, take an active role in seeing that the mother of your child is getting nourishment she needs during pregnancy to give birth to a strong baby.”
He further urged religious leaders to mainstream the pastoral letter during sermons and other interactive gatherings.
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