Gender Ministry Calls for Stronger Action Against Child Labour in Eastern Uganda

What the report says

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has called on employers, local governments and other partners to step up action against child labour, slavery and human trafficking in Eastern Uganda. According to Nile Post, the appeal was made at a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting at Hotel Zeptan in Jinja City under the Ending Child Labour, Slavery and Trafficking Programme.

The ministry said children are harmed when they are pushed into work that limits schooling and exposes them to health risks and abuse. Acting Permanent Secretary Alex Asiimwe, whose remarks were delivered by Maurine Karungi of the ministry’s anti-child-labour section, linked the problem to poverty and weak livelihood opportunities, and said employers still have a duty to prevent exploitation even when families face hardship.

The report said the government has committed funding to expand efforts against child labour, modern slavery and trafficking, with an emphasis on translating that support into services for vulnerable households, stronger enforcement and measurable outcomes. The meeting also referenced Uganda’s obligations under international labour rules and the country’s national action plan on eliminating child labour. The ministry noted that hazardous work in agriculture remains a major concern because of risks from tools, chemicals and heavy loads.

Participants were urged to improve recruitment practices, tighten oversight of supply chains, create referral systems for suspected cases and ensure that children removed from dangerous work receive care, psychosocial support where needed and help returning to school or other learning options.