Mbale firm uses street kids to clean town

Jun 29, 2011

A private company contracted by Mbale municipal council to clean the town, uses street children. Keep Mbale Clean Company employs street children whom it pays sh1,500 each per night.

BY PAUL WATALA

A private company contracted by Mbale municipal council to clean the town, uses street children. Keep Mbale Clean Company employs street children whom it pays sh1,500 each per night.

“We start sweeping at 8:30pm, while others collect and load the garbage onto the council truck. We are paid by Kamadi Katende at the end of sweeping that goes up to 3:00am,” said one of the children.

Katende explained that he is usually approached by the children who plead to give their services. e said the company started using children to collect gabbage six months ago.

The boy, who identified Katende as the overall supervisor, said sometimes they are not paid the full amount. Another 11-year-old boy from Nkoma, who was found cleaning on Naboa Road, said they use bare hands to collect garbage, exposing them to diseases.

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