Uganda: Govt Renews Push to End Child Labour As 6.2 Million Children Remain Affected

What the report says

Uganda’s government has renewed its appeal for faster action to eliminate child labour, slavery and trafficking, according to a Nile Post report distributed by AllAfrica. The discussion took place at the 13th meeting of the National Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child Labour, held at Hotel La Vena in Seguku on Wednesday, where officials called for better coordination and more practical interventions to protect children.

The Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Alex Asiimwe, said child labour continues to harm national development by limiting children’s access to education, health and protection, while reinforcing poverty and vulnerability. His remarks were delivered by Judith Auma, who oversees labour inspections and enforcement at the ministry. Asiimwe urged the committee to assess progress, identify gaps and assign clear responsibilities and timelines for follow-up action.

The article cites International Labour Organisation and UNICEF estimates that nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour globally in 2024, including 54 million in hazardous work, and notes that progress remains too slow to meet the 2025 elimination target. In Uganda, the 2021 National Labour Force Survey found 6.2 million children aged 5 to 17, about 40% of that age group, were in child labour excluding household chores.

The government said it wants stronger links between national policy and implementation at district, community and workplace levels, along with responsible business practices and due diligence in supply chains. It also plans to use the meeting’s recommendations to support review of the National Action Plan on the Elimination of Child Labour and continued coordination across key ministries.