The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has urged employers, local governments and other stakeholders to strengthen enforcement, protect vulnerable children and improve support for households at risk of child labour.
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has called for stronger action against child labour, slavery and human trafficking in Eastern Uganda, urging employers and local authorities to improve enforcement and ensure vulnerable children receive appropriate support.
The call was made during a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting held at Hotel Zeptan in Jinja City under the Ending Child Labour, Slavery and Trafficking Programme.
The ministry’s Acting Permanent Secretary, Alex Asiimwe, said child labour denies children opportunities to learn, damages their health and exposes them to abuse. His remarks were delivered by Maurine Karungi, Acting Head of the Ending Child Labour, Slavery and Trafficking Section.
“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,” Asiimwe said.
He said the government had committed funding to strengthen efforts to eliminate child labour, modern slavery and human trafficking, adding that the investment should translate into services for vulnerable children and households, effective enforcement and measurable results.
The meeting aligns with Uganda’s obligations under the International Labour Organization’s Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), which calls for urgent and effective measures to prohibit and eliminate the worst forms of child labour.
It also supports Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, which calls for action against forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as the elimination of child labour.
At the national level, the engagement draws on Uganda’s Second National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour, covering the 2020/21–2024/25 period. The plan seeks to strengthen prevention, protection and rehabilitation while reducing the risk of children entering or returning to child labour.
The Children Act, Cap. 62, prohibits the employment of children in activities harmful to their health, education or development, while the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, Cap. 131, criminalises trafficking for purposes including forced labour and slavery.
Agriculture was identified as an area requiring particular attention because children engaged in hazardous work may be exposed to dangerous tools, chemicals and heavy loads.
The ministry stressed that removing children from hazardous work should be accompanied by appropriate care, including assessment, referral, psychosocial support where necessary, 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,” Asiimwe said.
Participants were urged to develop practical measures for responsible recruitment and supplier oversight, establish clear referral systems for suspected cases and assign responsibility for implementing commitments, with timelines and mechanisms for reviewing progress.
The meeting brought together representatives of district local governments, district labour officers, industrial associations, business leaders, companies operating in agricultural supply chains, employers’ and workers’ organisations, and other partners.