Exploring the Impact of Child Abuse on Academic Performance of Pupils in Mbarara City South of Kakoba Division, Uganda

Nabimanya Evalyn Nkora, Tukur Muhammad, Ainembabazi Earnest B, Nantale Hadijja and Niwagaba Tarcis

Faculty of Education Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Child abuse is one of the most predominant phenomena that has been confronting Uganda over the years. This study explores the impact of child abuse on academic performance of pupils in Mbarara City South of Kakoba Division, Uganda. The study adopted cross sectional survey design, with a sample of 224. Questionnaires were used to elicit responses from the respondents. Findings from the study show that 29% of the respondents indicated unwanted pregnancies as one of the causes of child abuse, 26% indicated substance abuse as one of the causes of child abuse, whereas 27% indicated economic distress and 18% indicated war and political violence. In this wise, the study calls for the government to provide equitable resource distribution, empowerment, training, and capacity building. Non-governmental organisations like UNICEF could improve their effectiveness and make present approaches more responsive to harmed children. Social communities, local leaders, carers, and religious centres should provide housing, clothes and other basic requirements.

Keywords: Academic performance, Child abuse, Economic distress, Impact, Substance abuse

CITE AS: Nabimanya Evalyn Nkora, Tukur Muhammad, Ainembabazi Earnest B, Nantale Hadijja and Niwagaba Tarcis (2024). Exploring the Impact of Child Abuse on Academic Performance of Pupils in Mbarara City South of Kakoba Division, Uganda. INOSR ARTS AND HUMANITIES 10(1):9-16. https://doi.org/10.59298/INOSRAH/2024/101.9160