Early this week, NTV broadcast depressing pictures of children in a school in Walukuba-Masese Division in Jinja. The footage showcased a sad tale of child abuse and shocking brutality- apparently a result of a 'free offer' gone wrong.

According to media reports, the school belongs to Ms Florence Wepukhulu, who is accused of unlawfully confining the 32 children who were studying in St. Florence Primary School. They were found in pitiable condition: many of them frail and tormented by skin diseases.

The children are said to be from impoverished homes whose families handed them in Wepukhulu care after promises of free education. The situation on the ground was, however, far from perfect: the school has poor sanitary conditions with no pit latrines; children sleep in a dilapidated mud and wattle house with no basic beddings and distressingly eat mostly jackfruits for lack of regular meals.

This incident highlights a key issue - the level of attention the government gives to cases of child abuse. It also draws attention to the desperation of parents in ensuring their children get education. Though Wepukhulu says she only offered free tuition with accommodation and meals to be catered for by parents, it is questionable how this school, said to be unlicensed, has been operational.

It is a basic rule that all schools must be licensed by the Ministry of Education and school inspectors must ensure that the highest quality of living conditions are adhered to in boarding facilities.

It is equally important that parents take extra care before surrendering the welfare of their children to strangers, which exposes them to other risks such as abduction.

A recent report released by African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect indicates that about 2,500 children were reported missing from their homes in the first four months of 2009.

In the absence of a State-funded universal childcare, parents must make rational decisions about the wellbeing of their children. Similarly, political leaders owe it to citizens to give child protection adequate attention.