Uganda: Boosted Child Labour Enforcement Coordination Urged

• The Ugandan government has renewed its call for urgent action and stronger coordination to eliminate child labor, slavery, and trafficking.
• The 13th National Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child Labour meeting highlighted that 6.2 million Ugandan children aged 5-17 are engaged in child labor.
• Government officials emphasized the need for responsible business practices and human rights due diligence in supply chains.
• A new focus requires corrective action and effective remediation for child labor risks, moving beyond simple supplier termination.
• Recommendations from the committee meeting will guide the review and implementation of the National Action Plan on the Elimination of Child Labour (NAP II).

Instead, the focus must be on implementing corrective action and effective remediation strategies that genuinely protect affected children, rather than inadvertently exposing them to further exploitation elsewhere.

The Ugandan government has issued a fresh appeal for immediate and concerted efforts to eradicate child labor, slavery, and trafficking within its borders. This urgent call for enhanced coordination and tangible interventions to safeguard children was a central theme during the 13th assembly of the National Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child Labour. The meeting, held recently at Hotel La Vena in Seguku, underscored the persistent challenges posed by child labor to the nation's progress.

Alex Asiimwe, serving as the Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Uganda, conveyed through Judith Auma, the Manager of Labour Inspections and Enforcement at the ministry, that child labor significantly impedes national development. This detrimental practice denies children fundamental access to education, healthcare, and protection, thereby perpetuating cycles of poverty and vulnerability across communities. The government's renewed focus signals a critical juncture in its ongoing efforts to address this pervasive issue.

Globally, the issue of child labor remains widespread, with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF reporting approximately 138 million children engaged in such work in 2024, including 54 million in hazardous occupations. While global estimates indicate a decline in child labor since 2020, the pace of reduction is insufficient to achieve the ambitious target of eliminating child labor by 2025. This global context highlights the immense scale of the problem that Uganda, like many nations, confronts.

Domestically, the 2021 Uganda National Labour Force Survey revealed a stark reality: 6.2 million children aged between 5 and 17 years are involved in child labor, excluding routine household chores. This figure represents a substantial 40% of children within that age demographic, with a slightly higher prevalence observed among boys compared to girls. These statistics underscore the deep-seated nature of child labor within Ugandan society, driven by complex economic and social factors such as poverty, limited educational opportunities, and vulnerabilities inherent in agricultural and other supply chains.

In light of these persistent challenges, Mr. Asiimwe urged the National Steering Committee on Elimination of Child Labour Uganda to thoroughly review past progress, pinpoint implementation deficiencies, and establish concrete measures with clear responsibilities and timelines. A key directive was to forge stronger connections between national policies and their practical application at district, community, and workplace levels. This emphasis extends to promoting responsible business practices Uganda child labour and robust human rights due diligence supply chains Uganda.

Crucially, the government's stance on addressing child labor risks is evolving. Mr. Asiimwe articulated that the mere identification of a child labor risk should not lead to the simple termination of a supplier relationship or the displacement of an affected child from one form of work to another. Instead, the focus must be on implementing corrective action and effective remediation strategies that genuinely protect affected children, rather than inadvertently exposing them to further exploitation elsewhere. This shift signifies a more nuanced and protective approach to Uganda child labour enforcement coordination.

The government has affirmed its dedication to leveraging the recommendations from the committee meeting to inform the review and implementation of the National Action Plan on the Elimination of Child Labour (NAP II), which covers the period from 2020/21 to 2024/25. This commitment reflects a strategic effort to strengthen the framework for combating child labor. Furthermore, Mr. Asiimwe pledged ongoing coordination among various government institutions, specifically mentioning the ministries responsible for education, finance, local government, and social protection, to ensure a unified approach.

The National Steering Committee itself is a multi-stakeholder body, comprising representatives from government ministries, departments, and agencies, alongside development partners, civil society organizations, and other entities actively engaged in efforts to eliminate child labor, slavery, and Uganda child trafficking. The current meeting is part of a broader national endeavor to reinforce the implementation of measures designed to tackle the underlying economic and social drivers that compel children into work. This comprehensive strategy aims to create a more protective environment for all Ugandan children.

Compliance officers and legal counsel advising businesses operating in Uganda or sourcing from Ugandan supply chains should anticipate heightened scrutiny and enforcement efforts regarding child labour. They must review and strengthen human rights due diligence processes and prepare for new guidance on corrective action and remediation strategies, moving beyond simple supplier termination.

Source: Original reporting based on information from Nile Post.