KAMPALA – Kampala Capital City Authority – KCCA on Wednesday cracked the whip on street children – rescuing at least 150 as thirteen suspected child traffickers were netted.
The Wednesday operation spread to various streets and suburbs as police authorities backed up the KCCA law enforcement team in cleaning up the city.
The rescued children – mostly from Karamoja sub-region are believed to be victims of child abuse and trafficking, according to KCCA mouthpiece, Simon Kasyate .
The children were picked from various parts of Kampala and taken to Kobulin Youth Rehabilitation and Skilling centre in Napak district for rehabilitation.
The same operation netted at least 13 suspected child traffickers, who will arraigned before court for contravening the Child Protection Ordinance 2022.
Section 10 of the Ordinance prohibits any person from sending a child to beg or solicit for alms in a public place, street, office, or any business or commercial establishment and also to live off the proceeds of a child engaged in begging or soliciting for alms.
The ordinance provides that a person who contravenes these provisions commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding Ugx40, 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.
However, it should be noted that the High Court annulled begging as a crime within the boundaries of Uganda.
Last year over 700 children were rescued from the streets and 36 child traffickers convicted.
“Majority of the children that were rescued last year were taken to Masulita Children’s home – where they can live a childhood life – free from exploitation and abuse but also be rehabilitated,” emphasised Kasyate.
