Kampala — Masindi district has secured a grant of $516,000 (about sh1.2b) for a pilot project to eliminate child labour in tobacco growing.

The grant which was secured from an organisation Elimination of Child Labour in Tobacco (ECLT) was received through British American Tobacco Uganda (BATU) for Masindi as a pilot district.

BATU is the largest processor and exporter of tobacco in Uganda, and a member of ECLT.

The project to be administered by ECLTU will see a fully furnished technical institute built in the district.

The Omukama of Bunyoro, Iguru Gafabusa laid the foundation stone for the school in Kyema.

"The components of this operation include identifying and withdrawing these children from tobacco gardens and providing them with alternatives to enable them lead successful lives through education and development of vocational skills," John Majara, the district chairman said.

Martin Gwoki, the head of the project's steering committee said the move is a response to concerns by stakeholders.