By Robert Kalemba
THERE are over two million children in manual labour in Uganda, with 80% under domestic labour, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) chief technical advisor has said.

Yuki Nose was on Monday addressing a workshop for child labour stakeholders, who included teachers, Police officers and district officials from Mukono district, at the district community centre.

Nose said a report done in 2003 showed that many children were employed in prostitution, which encourages the spread of HIV/AIDS. She said the number of children infected with HIV/AIDS is 1.8 million.

Meanwhile, Joel Ogwang reports that the growing rate of child labour and abuse is dashing Uganda’s hopes of achieving the UN Millenium Development Goals of fighting illiteracy and improving living standards by 2015, according to Nose.

“About 80% of these children are orphaned by HIV/AIDS and their relatives are too poor to cater for their needs. As a result, they end up doing petty jobs to sustain themselves and their siblings,” she said.

She said despite the Government initiating the Universal Primary Education scheme, many children stay out of school.

Yuki said the children work in harsh and hazardous conditions and are paid very little or not at all.

“They work in industries where they come into contact with dangerous chemicals and gases. They are not even availed with protective gear,” she said.

“This affects the children’s physiological development. Many are stunted and with a short lifespan,” she said.
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