The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, through the Ending Child Labour, Slavery and Trafficking Programme, has concluded a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on the dangers of child labour, slavery and trafficking in targeted districts of the Eastern Uganda. The meeting was held yesterday at Hotel Zeptan in Jinja City.
In his remarks, the Acting Permanent Secretary Mr. Alex Asiimwe, said child labour continues to deny children opportunities to learn, damages their health and exposes them to abuse.
“Poverty and limited livelihood opportunities increase vulnerability. Addressing these pressures requires stronger links between labour enforcement and household support. Employers remain responsible for preventing exploitation even where families face economic hardship,” he said. Mr. Asiimwe’s remarks were delivered by Ms. Maurine Karungi, Acting Head of the Ending Child Labour, Slavery and Trafficking Section.
He emphasised that Government has committed funding to strengthen efforts to end child labour, modern slavery and trafficking in persons, and that this investment must translate into services that reach vulnerable children and households, effective enforcement, and measurable results.
The engagement aligns with Uganda’s obligations under the International Labour Organization’s Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), which requires states to “take immediate and effective measures to secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour as a matter of urgency.”
It also supports Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, which calls on countries to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
Domestically, the meeting reinforces the Second National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (NAP II 2020/21–2024/25), which seeks to create an enabling environment for the prevention, protection, rehabilitation and reduction of the risk of children being pushed or pulled back into child labour. It further draws on the Children Act, Cap. 62 which prohibits the employment of children in any activity that may be harmful to their health, education or development, and the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, Cap. 131, which criminalises trafficking for purposes including forced labour and slavery.
Particular attention was drawn to agriculture, where children undertaking hazardous work may encounter dangerous tools, chemicals and heavy loads. The Ministry stressed that withdrawal from hazardous work must connect a child to appropriate care. This includes assessment, referral, psychosocial support where needed, and assistance to return to school or access suitable learning opportunities.
“Family engagement and follow-up are essential to reduce the risk of a return to exploitation,” Mr. Asiimwe said.
Participants were urged to agree on practical measures for responsible recruitment and supplier oversight, establish clear referral arrangements so that suspected cases receive timely assistance, and identify who will implement each commitment, by when, and how progress will be reviewed.
The meeting brought together representatives of District Local Governments, District Labour Officers, industrial associations, business leaders and companies operating in agricultural supply chains, employers’ and workers’ organisations, and other key partners.
