Parents urged to keep children in school for their safety

By Juliet Nalwooga

The head of child protection and child rights at Save The Children International- Uganda office, Kevin Mubuuke has urged parents, government and the civil society community to ensure children are kept in school for their safety.

Her remarks come hours after  Uganda joined the globe to commemorate the world day against child labor with a national event held in Kabarole District at Kahunga Bunyonyi primary school.

Speaking to KFM, Mubuuke attributed the spike in the number of child labor cases to the negative effects of the Covid-19 induced lockdowns that kept children marooned in communities away from school.

According to the Uganda National Household survey report 2019/2020, the covid pandemic worsened the child labor problem, raising it from 21 to 36 %.

She says they have rolled out initiatives in districts like Arua and Karamoja geared at keeping a child at school including an accelerated education programs for minors to continue learning.

This year’s world day against child labor was marked under the theme; “Universal Social Protection to end child labor”.

Written by Noelyn Nassuuna