Uganda, Nov. 28 -- The State minister for Gender and Culture, Ms Peace Mutuuzo, has cancelled at least seven weddings involving young girls, including that of a 9-year-old girl from Sembabule District.

"Abduction of young girls into marriage is rampant. In the last few months, I have disorganised about seven weddings involving very young girls, the recent one being of a 9-year-old girl from Ssembabule District," Ms Mutuuzo said during a symposium organised by the Gender ministry in Kampala last Friday.

"The man had packed a V8 vehicle in the compound and the wedding was going on at the girl's parents' home in Ssembabule. Someone tipped me about it. I immediately went there and stopped the marriage and asked police to take over," she sai...