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Govt targets child exploitation rings
"Who brings these children to the streets? Who transports them? Who accommodates them? Who deploys them? Who controls them? Who benefits from their suffering?" he asked as he issued a statement to mark the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour on June 12.
The state minister for labour, Simon Mulongo, has challenged the country to ask difficult questions about how children end up on the streets in the first place. (File photo)
By: Jackie Nalubwama, Journalist @New Vision
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The Government has raised fresh concerns over the growing number of vulnerable children living and working on the streets, warning that the issue extends far beyond poverty and may involve organised networks that exploit children for profit.
The state minister for labour, Simon Mulongo, challenged the country to ask difficult questions about how children end up on the streets in the first place.
"Who brings these children to the streets? Who transports them? Who accommodates them? Who deploys them? Who controls them? Who benefits from their suffering?" he asked as he issued a statement to mark the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour on June 12.
The questions reflect a shift in how the Government wants the public to view street children, not simply as victims of hardship but as possible targets of organised exploitation.
According to the ministry, many of the children seen on the streets of Kampala and other towns come from poor and vulnerable communities, including Karamoja. Some become involved in begging, street vending, forced labour or trafficking after being recruited or manipulated by adults who profit from their vulnerability.
Mulongo noted that where adults recruit, transport or harbour children for economic gain, the issue becomes a criminal matter rather than merely a social one.
He promised that the ministry will strengthen cooperation with local governments, security agencies, probation officers and child protection organisations to identify and prosecute those responsible while improving systems for rescuing and rehabilitating affected children.
The Government insists that children found in exploitative situations should not themselves be treated as offenders.
"They are victims of vulnerability, neglect, poverty, trafficking, or manipulation," Mulongo said, adding that they require rehabilitation, education, family tracing and psycho-social support instead of punishment.
According to the ministry, many of the children seen on the streets of Kampala and other towns come from poor and vulnerable communities, including Karamoja. Some become involved in begging, street vending, forced labour or trafficking after being recruited or manipulated by adults who profit from their vulnerability.
Mulongo noted that where adults recruit, transport or harbour children for economic gain, the issue becomes a criminal matter rather than merely a social one.
He promised that the ministry will strengthen cooperation with local governments, security agencies, probation officers and child protection organisations to identify and prosecute those responsible while improving systems for rescuing and rehabilitating affected children.
The Government insists that children found in exploitative situations should not themselves be treated as offenders.
"They are victims of vulnerability, neglect, poverty, trafficking, or manipulation," Mulongo said, adding that they require rehabilitation, education, family tracing and psycho-social support instead of punishment.
The approach recognises that child labour often stems from broader structural problems. Poverty, unemployment, limited educational opportunities and weak enforcement all contribute to situations where families struggle to protect children from exploitation.
To reduce those pressures, government promised to continue investing in programmes that improve household incomes while strengthening labour inspection, social protection and labour market information systems that better connect skills training with employment opportunities.
Mulongo said the ministry also plans to improve oversight of labour migration by strengthening bilateral labour agreements, regulating recruitment agencies and providing greater support for Ugandans working abroad. Although these measures focus on adult workers, officials believe stronger labour governance can reduce vulnerabilities that eventually affect children as well.
For ordinary families, the policy direction carries a simple message: keeping children in school and away from exploitative work requires more than parental responsibility. "It depends on functioning institutions, economic opportunities and communities willing to report abuse," Mulongo said.
As Uganda commemorates the World Day Against Child Labour, the ministry said the ultimate goal is to build a country where children are protected, workplaces are safer, enterprises are productive, and labour contributes positively to national development.
Whether that ambition becomes reality will depend not only on government action but also on the willingness of employers, communities and citizens to recognise child exploitation when they see it, and refuse to tolerate it.
To reduce those pressures, government promised to continue investing in programmes that improve household incomes while strengthening labour inspection, social protection and labour market information systems that better connect skills training with employment opportunities.
Mulongo said the ministry also plans to improve oversight of labour migration by strengthening bilateral labour agreements, regulating recruitment agencies and providing greater support for Ugandans working abroad. Although these measures focus on adult workers, officials believe stronger labour governance can reduce vulnerabilities that eventually affect children as well.
For ordinary families, the policy direction carries a simple message: keeping children in school and away from exploitative work requires more than parental responsibility. "It depends on functioning institutions, economic opportunities and communities willing to report abuse," Mulongo said.
As Uganda commemorates the World Day Against Child Labour, the ministry said the ultimate goal is to build a country where children are protected, workplaces are safer, enterprises are productive, and labour contributes positively to national development.
Whether that ambition becomes reality will depend not only on government action but also on the willingness of employers, communities and citizens to recognise child exploitation when they see it, and refuse to tolerate it.