Since the AIDS scourge became common, parents were expected to talk to their children about sex as an essential but even in my time as a child never did my parents ever mention a word to me. I am sure they found it hard.

Some kids, maybe after watching a few scenes on TV  get curious and want to try out what they saw.
Augustine Sekibule, a marriage and youth counselor at Kamwokya Catholic Parish tells The Weekly Observer: “From six years, children begin to realise their sexuality and see the differences in themselves (boy or girl) and from then they start asking questions. It is important that an adult (parent) is positive towards the child’s questions in order to build trust and confidence.” In this, Sekibule adds, a child will be able to open up to their parent about whatever they know regarding their sexuality and the opposites they see and whatever experiences they go through. Then the parent will find it easier to correct the child about any misconceptions they might have had.
Parents must tell their children that God preserved sex for married adults and that it is not meant for children.

The children also need to understand that engaging in sex early can be fatal. “There is the AIDS problem and that must be stressed in no uncertain terms so that children realise the dangers of sex,” says Sekibule.
Sekibule says the misconception that a child who is quiet and never asks any question about sex must be stopped as it is such kids that go out with peers who influence them into sex acts.

“Prompt the child in a conversational way asking them if they have friends and what they talk about and promise them that you will listen to whatever he or she asks you and respond to it,” he says.
The caution here though is that you avoid being rude. “Do not criticize or be harsh about it. Instead of issuing ultimatums tell them how good it is to have friends but to uphold them with care,” he says.

Sekibule advises that parents should inform their children that they will get body changes as they grow up and at such a time they can become pregnant and end up not completing school; being mocked by friends and that alone can psychologically play on a child’s mind not to dare try sex acts until they are mature and can fend for themselves.
Films like the consequences that was shown much on Uganda Television in the early 1990s was a fine medium through which many children like yours truly got awakened and swore to stay in line.

Joseph Kaliisa a teacher of Standard High Zzana tells The Weekly Observer: “Even with the literature and movies that should enlighten children about the dangers of early sex, there is a lot of other literature that gets them sidetracked. With access to the internet, some begin watching pornography. That means adults must double their efforts.”
Kaliisa says teachers are encouraged to talk about the matter to remind children of their responsibilities, although sometimes a hard-line like suspensions from school has to be towed to stop boyfriend -girlfriend cases, which normally end up in sex entangles.

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