Following an alarming rise in cases of school dropouts and unchecked child labour in the districts of Iganga and Bugiri, authorities have initiated counter active interventions to check the vices, including a plan to arrest parents and employers perpetrating the activities.
Additionally, a four-year programme for engaging youngsters in business and agricultural enterprises at home and in schools in a bid to support efforts for acquisition of school requirements has been formulated.
The project implemented by the Straight Talk Foundation, an NGO charged with supporting efforts to end school dropout and early pregnancies, focuses on sensitizing youths on sexual reproductive health rights with emphasis on avoiding early sex and engaging parents to observe their responsibilities.
Unveiling the project, its co-ordinator Luke Tumwesigye said the two districts were chosen because they were the most affected by child labour, school dropout and early pregnancies.
Authorities in the two districts expressed concern that although the school term opened two weeks ago, many children are engaged in activities like vending food items and working on sugar plantations.
Iganga Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Haji Sadara Wandera observed that as concerned parents and administrators, they cannot simply look on as the children’s future goes to the dogs, and cautioned employers of such children to immediately discharge them to avoid apprehension by the long arm of the law.
In Iganga, the sub-counties of Nakigo and Nawandala were cited for rampant employment of children for sugar cane cutting.
In Bugiri district, the LC5 chairperson, Davidson Kasaija Mulumba disclosed that in addition to existing laws, they have passed a child protection ordinance spelling out harsh punitive action to perpetrators, which is pending approval by the Attorney General.
Jalia Tibikoma, a child activist in the district said that most of the learners are currently being used in gold mining activities and there is no hope of resuming education soon.
Tibikoma also cited an increase in the number of children involved in sugar cane cutting, saying it has attracted the would-be learners who focus on getting daily income.
The Iganga District Labour Officer, Abubaker Waiswa attributed the increase in these cases to irresponsible parents whom he said, send their children to work places to supplement an income for meeting family requirements.
Iganga district Vice Chairperson, Haliud Mukacha welcomed the Straight Talk Foundation Programme, hoping that it will be a remedy to issues like the many children who drop out of school under the guise of lacking requirements but end up getting pregnant.
Margaret Kiiza, one of the teenagers benefiting from the programme in Iganga said she dropped out before completing S. 3, expressing hope however that with their shoe selling enterprise set up recently under the group called Nyikira Okole Straight Talk Club Nabitende, she expects to get back to school.