Police warn parents over child abuse risks during holidays
“While the holiday period offers children time to rest, reconnect with families and participate in positive activities, it also presents heightened risks to their safety, welfare and protection.”
Rusoke Kituuma, Spokesperson for the Uganda Police Force, addressing journalists during a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre on August 17, 2026. (Photo by Nancy Nanyonga)
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The Uganda Police Force has warned parents and guardians to heighten supervision of children during the ongoing school holidays, citing increased risks of sexual abuse, neglect, child labour and other offences against children.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said children who have started their second-term holidays require close supervision as they spend more time away from school.
“While the holiday period offers children time to rest, reconnect with families and participate in positive activities, it also presents heightened risks to their safety, welfare and protection,” Kituuma said.
He said police routinely register cases involving violations of children’s rights, sexual violence, neglect, harmful child labour, accidents and other offences committed against or among children during holidays.
Kituuma particularly warned parents about sexual abuse, saying perpetrators are often people known and trusted by children or their families, including relatives, guardians, neighbours and employees.
“Parents and guardians are urged to know where their children are, whom they associate with, and to take seriously any change in behaviour, fear, unexplained injuries, withdrawal or disclosure by a child,” he said.
He urged parents not to leave children in the care of people whose character, conduct or surroundings raise concerns, while communities should remain vigilant about places where children could be exposed to exploitation, alcohol, drugs or predatory adults.
Police further warned against exposing children to hazardous work during the holidays.
Kituuma said children should not be employed in work likely to harm their health, safety, education or physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.
He listed underground work, working at dangerous heights or in confined spaces, operating dangerous machinery, carrying heavy loads and exposure to chemicals, alcohol, drugs and other hazardous substances among activities children should not be engaged in.
Police also warned owners and managers of bars, lodges, entertainment venues and other business premises against involving children in sexual or pornographic performances, locally known as ebimansulo.
“Such conduct is criminal, and all persons involved in organising, facilitating, promoting or benefiting from them will be investigated and held accountable,” Kituuma said.
He also urged parents, local leaders and communities to guard against the recruitment or manipulation of children into criminal activities, including gangs, rogue groups and acts of violence.
Kituuma said leaving children alone exposes them to risks of fire, injuries, abuse and other preventable tragedies.
He further cautioned parents against privately settling cases involving the abuse of their children by accepting compensation from suspects, a practice commonly referred to as “sorting the parent.”
“The practice is unlawful. It compromises the child’s rights, enables offenders to evade justice and exposes other children to continued danger,” he said.
He urged parents to report all cases of child abuse to police and allow investigations and other legal processes to take their course.
Police also called on school proprietors, headteachers and management to use the holiday period to review safety and security arrangements at their institutions.
According to Kituuma, schools should consult police and other safety professionals on access control, fire prevention, boarding safety, child-protection procedures, transport, emergency preparedness, reporting channels and staff conduct.
He urged parents and guardians to keep emergency contacts for their nearest police stations readily available.
“The protection of every child is a shared responsibility. We call upon all Ugandans to remain vigilant, report suspected abuse promptly, and ensure that this holiday period is safe, healthy and meaningful for every child,” he advised.