KCCA Rescues 149 Children in Crackdown on Child Exploitation in Kampala

What the report says

Kampala Capital City Authority says it has rescued 149 children during an ongoing crackdown on child exploitation in the city, according to a post shared on X and reported by Watchdog Uganda. The children included 26 boys and 123 girls, and KCCA said they were found in situations linked to exploitation. The authority did not give detailed circumstances in the material provided, but said the operation is part of broader efforts to protect vulnerable children in the capital.

KCCA said the rescued children would be taken to Musulita Children’s Home for rehabilitation, psychosocial support and preparation to be reunited with their families. The authority also warned the public against using children for begging, loitering, hawking or vending, describing such conduct as a criminal offence. It said people found involved in those practices could face imprisonment of up to six months or a court-determined fine.

The crackdown appears aimed at reducing child labor and exploitation in Kampala while improving public safety and livability. More generally, child protection campaigns in urban areas often involve removing children from street-based work and linking them to social welfare services, though the specific follow-up steps in this case were limited to KCCA’s statements. The authority said operations will continue as it works to return children to safe family environments.