BY BOY FIDEL LEON
The Minister of Education and Sports who also doubles as the Patron of the Uganda Women Efforts to save orphans (UWESO), Janet Museveni has spoken out against child trafficking in Uganda, particularly in the Karamoja region.
Janet Museveni was the chief guest at the handover ceremony in Masulita, Wakiso District where scholastic materials donated through a China-Africa joint Action initiated by the first lady of China, Professor Peng Liyuan, were distributed to children under the care of UWESO.
During her speech, Janet Museveni condemned those involved in trafficking children from the Karamoja sub-region to the streets of Kampala. She emphasized that trafficking is a violation of children’s rights saying that it is a severe form of child abuse since the children are denied the right to grow up with their parents in a secure and supportive environment.
“Child trafficking is a despicable act that robs children of their childhood and their future. It is a violation of their rights and a form of modern-day slavery that has no place in our society. We must all work together to put an end to this practice,” said Janet Museveni.
Olive Lumonya, the chairperson UWESO said that they are trying to rehabilitate the children and take them back into the communities where they’ve come from.
She added that, “ The strategy of trying to find a solution to these children (problems) cannot be left to us alone, we need the country, we need everybody to take interest in addressing the issue of street children.”
Child trafficking is a predicament in Uganda, and it has germinated into a grave concern in recent years. The Karamoja subregion, located in the northeastern part of Uganda, is particularly vulnerable to child trafficking due to its poverty and lack of opportunities. Children from this region are often lured away from their families with promises of a better life, only to end up on the streets of Kampala, the capital city.
“Many of them get attracted when they see a colleague who has gone there and comes back with very many things like source pans, these big boxes, money.” Says Akol Caroline, the Parish Chief, Iriiri.
Agnes Igoye, Prevention of Trafficking Persons, MIA says that many of the children are running away from Female genital mutilation and child labour.
UWESO is one of the organizations that are actively working to address the issue of child trafficking in Uganda. The organization provides support to vulnerable children and their families, including education, health care, and psychosocial support. They also work to raise awareness about the dangers of child trafficking and the importance of protecting children’s rights.
The donation of scholastic materials to the children under the care of UWESO is a significant step towards ensuring that vulnerable children have access to education, which is one of the key factors that can help prevent child trafficking.
