An estimated total of 1.7 million children between 5-17 are engaged in child labour.

This was revealed by the executive director for Platform for Labour Action (PLA), Ms Lillian Keene Mugerwa during the closing of a two-day training workshop for primary teachers of Katwe and Kibuye held at Hotel Calendar in Makindye.

Ms Mugerwa says 43 percent of these children have not attended upper primary schools and become child mothers below 17.

She said the remaining 57 percent of these children join child labour after failing to get school fees. 87.7 percent are ignorant of the law and do not know where to report when abused by their bosses.

Makindye District Education Officer George William Muteekanga (above) commended PLA for its advocacy training for the vulnerable children in Uganda.

He said the education ministry will always support PLA in its efforts to protect labour rights of vulnerable and marginalised people. PLA is implementing a 'Stop Child Exploitation' programme in the communities of Katwe, Makindye, Kabalagala, Nsambya and Kibuye.