As the world marks World Day Against Child Labour on June 12 under the theme “End Child Labour: Let Us Speed Up Action,” Uganda is renewing its efforts to combat the growing crisis of child exploitation.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, in partnership with NGOs such as UNICEF, has launched several programs to support vulnerable children. These initiatives provide psycho-social support, school fees, and rehabilitation services to help children leave exploitative labor and reclaim their right to education and a safe childhood.
Aggrey David Kibenge, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, emphasized that Uganda has taken significant steps by approving and domesticating key international labor standards, including International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Convention No. 138 on minimum age for employment. Kibenge highlighted that these measures are essential for meeting the country’s commitment to eliminate child labor.
“Uganda is racing against time to meet the 2025 global target under Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, which calls for the elimination of all forms of child labor,” he warned.
“We need urgent, collective action from government, civil society, parents, and the private sector to protect our children’s future,” Kibenge added.
Despite these commitments, child labor in Uganda is on the rise. According to the 2019/20 National Household Survey, approximately 4.1 million children, 28% of Uganda’s child population, were involved in child labor, including excessive household chores. More recent figures from the Ministry of Gender show a sharp increase, with 6.2 million children (39.5%) engaged in child labor by 2022. This surge is largely attributed to poverty and economic shocks affecting families nationwide.
Sarah Mirembe, a community social worker, applauded the government’s interventions but cautioned that they required consistent enforcement.
“The laws are in place, but implementation remains weak, especially in rural areas where most child labor cases occur,” she noted.
Atori Elizabeth, a child rights advocate and mother, stressed that the fight against child labor cannot be left to government and NGOs alone.
“Ending child labor is everyone’s responsibility. Community members must report violations and take an active role in protecting children’s rights,” she said.
As Uganda joins the rest of the world in observing this year’s World Day Against Child Labor, the message is clear: ending child labor requires urgent, united, and sustained action at all levels of society.
