Maracha District Bans Night Discos

The security committee of Maracha district has announced a ban on night discos usually hosted during market and week days in makeshift discotheques around trading centers.

The announcement comes following numerous complaints from the community members who argue that the uncontrolled operations of night discos have fueled high school dropout rates, teenage pregnancies and early marriages in the area.

Under the new guidelines, communities hosting graduation, birthday parties are required to notify police and local leaders whenever their parties will end late. According to the district security committee, the ban takes immediate effect as night discos have become a source of insecurity.

Monica Koliba Kotevu, the deputy Resident District Commissioner says any lower local official who will be found issuing licenses for night disco operations will be held accountable.

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She however says only designated places that will be found to have met the minimum security guidelines for public gatherings may be allowed to stage discos but only on weekends.

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Some of the areas that have had several night disco operations include, Oleba Town council, Ovujo Town Council, Okokoro Town Council, Tara Sub county and Alikua sub county.

Charles Waga, the secretary for social services argues that night discos have encouraged teenage pregnancies among school girls which he says has far reaching effects on the local population. According to Waga, at least 660 girls have so far been impregnated this year alone.

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Meanwhile, Sarah Amazi, the female youth councilor has welcomed the move noting that it will save the future of many young people that are at crossroads due to the uncontrolled operations of night discos.

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But, Geofrey Afimani, the former councilor representing Ovujo town council has blamed the persistence of night discos on the weakness by the district.

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Maracha district has one of the highest school dropout rates in the West Nile sub-region which currently stands at 88 percent. According to statistics from the education department, only 12 percent of pupils who enroll in primary one in the district are able to complete the primary education cycle.