Child labor concerns Masindi residents

By Our Reporter

Masindi: Residents of Kimengo Sub County in Masindi district have raised concerns about involving children in farm activities.

According to residents, children aged between 8 and 16 are dropped out of school and involved in activities like weeding and planting maize and sugarcane.

Oliver Atugonza, a resident of Kididima village, stressed that there are some parents who are involving children in labor in order to raise money.

She decried the rate at which children are now involved in theft cases because they are greedy for money.

Atugonza blamed family heads for abandoning their roles since single mothers involve children in farm activities to bring food to the table.

She also called for the intervention of the district leadership to save the future of the children.

Happy Kaija Charles, the LC1 Chairperson of Kirwara Kididima Village, acknowledged that most children are involved in farm activities in order to bring food to the table.

He, however, told this publication that they will carry out an operation next week and arrest children who are not in school.

Bright Mugume, the LC3 Chairperson for Kimengo Sub County, stressed that though they have tried to fight the vice, some parents have failed them since they involve the children and shield them from being arrested.

Mugume threatened to deal with contractors who are involving children in farm activities.

The politician said that child labor in the sub county has affected academic performance, adding that some children drop out of school to work in the maize and sugarcane plantations.

Aldon Walukamba, the corporate communications manager for Kinyara Sugar Ltd., condemned the act and said that the company doesn’t support the vice. He added that they will work with the community to prevent, detect, and stop child labor.

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