Challenges Faced By Families Headed By Children In Rural Areas: A Case Study Of Bude Sub County In Mpigi District

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine the challenges faced by families headed by children

in rural areas: a case study of Bude Sub County in Mpigi district. Specific objectives of the study

were to: examine the challenges faced by families headed by children in rural areas; assess the

possible solutions to the problems faced by families headed by children in rural areas; establish

the social challenges families headed by children in rural areas face and make recommendations

that can help the reduce cases of child headed homesteads.

The study employed a descriptive study design with a triangulation of both quantitative and

qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. The qualitative methods involved, in-depth

interviews with key informants, observation, documentation, focused group discussions and

personal interviewing.

Data analysis involved content analysis from literature reviewed, manual analysis of primary

data using excel and Microsoft word. The major finding was that girls are potential victims of

domestic violence on their education and this is exhibited in the forms of early drop out of

schools, early marriages, and family discriminations.

The study recommended more research work is required to clearly understand the challenges

faced by families headed by children in rural areas and Bude sub county in particular especially

where in areas where such cases are many. This would be a stepping stone for establishing

strategies for reducing such cases in other rural areas in Uganda.