F. Womakuyu
2 December 2008
Kampala — MOSES Magomu, 13, is an orphan. Although the Government introduced Universal Primary Education (UPE) that allows all children to study free, Magomu is not in school.
Magomu, a resident of Naluwerere town, a truck-stop between Busia town and Kampala is instead working. As night falls, he engages in making chapatti and collecting water for restaurants to earn a buck.
"I lost my parents to HIV/AIDS. I am living with my grandmother, who cannot meet our needs," Magomu says.
His boss, a petrol truck driver operating between Mombasa and Kampala, pays him peanuts. "I earn sh5,000 monthly. If I go to school, my grandmom and I won't eat," he says.
Magomu is involved in child labour. The Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) report of 2005/06 states about 2.5 million children aged 7-14 years are engaged in child labour and 38% of them are engaged in economic activity.
"Children are the most vulnerable to workplace abuses," the report said.
But the greatest concern that the report highlighted is that child labour is a key obstacle to achieving UPE.
The report said over 35% of 7-14 year-olds combine working with school, while 3% engage in economic activity without going to school.
Moses Musana, a child protection officer with Action Against Child Labour, a Kamwokya-based NGO fighting against child labour, said this prevents children from proceeding beyond primary level, compromising their prospects for employment later.
"Children who engage in early paid labour are likely to drop out of school before completing O'level," Musana said.
His fears are re-affirmed by UNHS which indicates that over 165,000 nine- to 17-year-olds, have never been to school. A further 422,000 who engage in child labour do not complete primary education.
The report also shows that only 15% of urban children aged 7-14 years old are engaged in economic activity compared to 42% of rural children.
"Many rural children live in poor homes and contribute to provision of basic needs in a home," he adds.
The report shows child labour is highest in the eastern and central regions, followed by the west. Children's work includes housekeeping, where 78% of the 7 to 14 year-olds are engaged in household chores.
"Girls are easy prey because some parents believe educating a girls is a waste of money," says Alice Nanono, the child officer, War Child.
The report adds the household income is important in child labour.
Increase in household income reduces the probability of a child working full-time, but raises the likelihood of him or her combining work and school," the report notes.
Orphans who have lost both their parents are more likely to be absent from school. "When a child is an orphan and lacks other alternatives he or she engages in child labour to earn an income," Musana adds.
Vincent Sennono, the chief statistician, Uganda Bureau of Standards, said the parents' education determines child labour. "Children of educated parents are more likely to attend school than children of uneducated parents," he says.
Sennono says the elimination of child labour requires better access to school and other services.
"Remedial schooling is important in overcoming work-related harm to children's welfare. Better formal workplace inspection and expanded grassroots level monitoring, are needed to rehabilitate children in unconditional worst forms of child labour," he adds.
Mwesigwa Rukutana, the state minister for labour, says the elimination of child labour requires sensitisation. "The biggest dilemma is distinguishing between child labour and usual work done by an African child. African parents believe for a child to grow well, they have to do housework, which some experts call child labour."
Despite the positive recommendations, children like Magomu who are looking for means of survival are no doubt saying, "As long as they do not reduce poverty, child labour will always be there for orphans like us to survive."
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