Minister warns parents against exploiting children for income

Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs, Faith Mercy Lakisa, has issued a stern warning to parents across Uganda, denouncing the practice of sending children to the streets to solicit money.

During a two-day orientation meeting for Members of Parliament under the Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children (UPFC) in Entebbe, Minister Lakisa highlighted that despite efforts by authorities like the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to reunite street children with their families, many are returned to the streets by individuals who profit from their labor.

“Children on the streets are businesses to some parents, and this should stop,” Minister Lakisa stated. “We cannot tackle the issue of street children without teaching parents to be responsible. You cannot deploy your child on the street because you expect them to make you Shs10,000 in a week or month.”

The UPFC, a non-partisan platform established to address the welfare of children, particularly those in difficult circumstances, aims to bridge the gap between Parliament, government, and civil society. The forum tackles issues ranging from child protection and education to health and child poverty.

Former Woman Member of Parliament for Kyegegwa District, Flavia Kabahenda, emphasized that child wellbeing is crucial for Uganda’s human capital and its Vision 2040. She pointed out critical challenges, including high rates of multidimensional poverty among children, limited access to birth certificates, and significant prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight, and anemia. Furthermore, she noted alarming statistics on sexual violence against children and teenage pregnancies.

“Investing in children is not charity or a favour,” Kabahenda asserted. “With 50 per cent of our population being children, how we legislate, budget, and oversee today determines whether Uganda reaps a demographic dividend or faces a demographic disaster.”

Senior Probation and Welfare Officer at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Sande Alex Bashaija, identified parental neglect and harsh punishment as significant issues contributing to child vulnerability. He also noted low male involvement in childcare and limited parental engagement in enriching activities with their children.

Timothy Opobo, Executive Director at the AfriChild Centre, commented that while Uganda has robust policies for early childhood development, implementation remains a challenge, leading to low enrollment rates compared to neighboring countries.

According to the 2024 Uganda Bureau of Statistics report, children under 17 constitute 48% of Uganda’s total population, highlighting the critical need for effective child welfare policies and their stringent implementation.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)