The Government has warned individuals exploiting children through street begging, forced labour and hazardous work that they risk facing the law.
The warning was issued by the State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Simon Mulongo, during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday ahead of the World Day Against Child Labour due on Friday June 12.
Mulongo said child labour remains a challenge in Uganda, with children still being exposed to exploitation in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, construction, industries and the informal sector.
This year’s national celebrations will be held at Bugade Primary School in Bugade Town Council, Mayuge district, under the theme: “Accelerating Action Against Child Labour: Dignity and Full Potential of Every Child.”
The minister said Mayuge was chosen because of its relevance with child labour-related cases.
“The area of that lake belt have had cases of using children in mining and fishing. It is a very critical area that we can use as a case so that we talk to people who are properly within the folders of what we want to convey the message for,” he explained.
Additionally, the minister noted that government is concerned about the growing vulnerability of children who are recruited, transported, controlled or used for economic gain.
“Who brings these children to the streets? Who transports them? Who deploys them and who benefits from their suffering?” Mulongo asked, adding that some children are exposed to organised begging, street vending, trafficking and forced labour.
He urged that children found in exploitative situations should be treated as victims of vulnerability and not criminals, while those behind their exploitation should be held accountable.
“Uganda’s development cannot be built on the suffering, exclusion and abuse of children,” he urged.
Uganda has a total of 6.2 million children involved in child labour according to Apollo Onzoma, the Assistant Commissioner of labour and industrial relations, but the number could be even a higher. Child labour, according to the ministry includes work that deprives children of their childhood, affects their education, or exposes them to physical, mental and social harm.
Children from poor households and fragile communities, including some from Karamoja and other parts of the country, remain at risk of exploitation.
But minister Mulongo says the government has strengthened labour inspection systems, child protection structures and coordination with stakeholders to identify and respond to cases of child labour, especially in risky areas.
He noted that labour inspectors have been trained to detect child labour in workplaces, including farms, homes, shops, workshops, markets and factories.
He also highlighted government interventions such as the Parish Development Model, the Presidential Initiative on Job Creation, Emyooga, GROW project and other livelihood programmes which he says are aimed at improving household incomes and reducing pressure that pushes children into work.
According to the minister, eliminating child labour requires addressing poverty, unemployment, limited access to quality education, inequality and weak community protection systems.
He pledged government commitment to continue working with local governments, security agencies, employers, workers’ organisations, cultural and religious leaders to strengthen prevention, reporting, rescue and rehabilitation of affected children.
“Together, we can build a Uganda where every child is free from exploitation, has access to education and opportunity, and is empowered to realise their full potential,” Mulongo said.
