Children will begin their second term holidays in August 2025. As Uganda Police Force, we record numerous cases during these holidays involving violations of children’s rights, accidents, parental negligence, and offenses committed between children.
One prevalent issue is sexual abuse, which is perpetrated against children by guardians, neighbours, village troublemakers especially around trading centres, relatives, coaches, and trainers.
During holidays, children are often sent away from their homes, increasing their vulnerability. We also encounter cases of sexual activity between children.
Another common observation is corporal punishment. This commonly involves the intentional use of physical force to cause pain or injury to a child. This form of punishment is widespread and can sometimes cause serious injuries. It destabilizes families, particularly because a number of suspects are breadwinners in their households. Many offenders claim ignorance or show remorse only after it is too late.
We also observe labour exploitation and harmful employment. The law prohibits employing or engaging children in activities that could harm their health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral, or social development. Harmful or hazardous work includes exposure to physical or psychological torture, sexual abuse, underground work, work at dangerous heights or confined spaces, operation of dangerous machinery or tools, handling heavy loads, exposure to chemicals or extreme temperatures, excessive noise, long hours, or any form of child labor involving slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, forced recruitment in armed conflict, prostitution, pornography, and illicit activities. Alarmingly, some bars exploit children in pornographic performances known locally as “ebimansulo.”
Recruitment of children into criminal activities is also a concern, with some children being drawn into rogue village groups. Additionally, neglect is common in slum areas, where children are abandoned in homes, locked inside while parents go out for activities such as prostitution. This creates a severe risk, including possibilities of fire-related tragedies if children are left unattended. Cases involving parents leaving candles burning unattended pose similar dangers.
Police also register incidents where parents attempt to seek compensation from suspects after their children have been abused—this practice, known locally as “sorting” the parent, is illegal.
Finally, we urge all parents to have emergency contact numbers for the police and local council chairpersons readily available.
Rusoke Kituuma psc (U)
ACP
PRO UPF
