New Vision (Kampala)

Uganda: 2,000 Lira Children Exploited - NGO

Kampala — The Government has been called upon to enforce anti-child labour legislation to stop exploitation of children.

The call was made by Judith Lamunu of Platform for Labour for Action (PLA) during a recent seminar in Lira.

Lamunu said an estimated 2,000 children in Lira worked for food.

She said the NGO had rescued 350 children and prevented the recruitment of 200 others into domestic labour in the district.

"Children are more engaged in domestic work compared to people between 20 and 22 years," said Francis Ojok, another PLA official.

He said this was due to poverty, insecurity and HIV/AIDS in their homes.

Ojok said child workers risked sexual harassment and being infected with HIV/AIDS.

He said the Government should support the NGO's programmes.

The NGO aims at influencing children's rights and favourable labour legislation.


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