‘Children lured to streets by Karimojong women’
Jun 27, 2007
KARIMOJONG women, who relocated to Kampala in the late 1970s and early 1980s, are behind the influx of destitute women and street children in Kampala, according to a former street child.
By Nathan Etengu
KARIMOJONG women, who relocated to Kampala in the late 1970s and early 1980s, are behind the influx of destitute women and street children in Kampala, according to a former street child.
“They come back home and talk highly of a better life in the city. In the process, they lure and facilitate desperate women and their children to travel to Kampala where the victims go through untold suffering,†Esther Lomakol narrated on Saturday.
This was during the celebrations to mark the Day of the African Child at Longalom Primary School in Lokopo sub-county, Moroto district.
At the event, former street children, who were repatriated to their villages by Dwelling Places, a charity based in Kampala, testified that their search for a better life on Kampala streets was not successful.
The majority of them are back to school and the organisation takes care of the children.
According to UNICEF, over 80% of Kampala street beggars, mainly women and children, are from Karamoja.
It is estimated that between 200 and 400 women, aged eight to 22, leave Karamoja every month to beg in Kampala.
As the country prepares for the Commonwealth summit in November, Kampala City Council is transferring them from the city to a rehabilitation centre in Kampiringisa.
The Moroto district probation and welfare officer, Becky Angela, noted that violence against children in the area was demonstrated through child labour, defilement and sexual abuse.
“These are rampant although only a few cases are reported for redress.â€
The district head of the United Nations children agency, Hussein Golicha, asked the Government to ratify the protocol on child prostitution and pornography.
The resident district commissioner, Capt. Robert Nambafu, expressed concern over the suffering of Karimojong street children in Kampala.
“It pains me because the street is not the best place for our children.â€
KARIMOJONG women, who relocated to Kampala in the late 1970s and early 1980s, are behind the influx of destitute women and street children in Kampala, according to a former street child.
“They come back home and talk highly of a better life in the city. In the process, they lure and facilitate desperate women and their children to travel to Kampala where the victims go through untold suffering,†Esther Lomakol narrated on Saturday.
This was during the celebrations to mark the Day of the African Child at Longalom Primary School in Lokopo sub-county, Moroto district.
At the event, former street children, who were repatriated to their villages by Dwelling Places, a charity based in Kampala, testified that their search for a better life on Kampala streets was not successful.
The majority of them are back to school and the organisation takes care of the children.
According to UNICEF, over 80% of Kampala street beggars, mainly women and children, are from Karamoja.
It is estimated that between 200 and 400 women, aged eight to 22, leave Karamoja every month to beg in Kampala.
As the country prepares for the Commonwealth summit in November, Kampala City Council is transferring them from the city to a rehabilitation centre in Kampiringisa.
The Moroto district probation and welfare officer, Becky Angela, noted that violence against children in the area was demonstrated through child labour, defilement and sexual abuse.
“These are rampant although only a few cases are reported for redress.â€
The district head of the United Nations children agency, Hussein Golicha, asked the Government to ratify the protocol on child prostitution and pornography.
The resident district commissioner, Capt. Robert Nambafu, expressed concern over the suffering of Karimojong street children in Kampala.
“It pains me because the street is not the best place for our children.â€