Issues affecting children and young people in Uganda
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Despite government and development partners’ efforts to put in place legal and policy frameworks on the protection of children, the safety of children from abuse and exploitation remains a challenge.
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The 2015 National Survey on Violence against Children attests to this reality by pointing out that people in positions of authority represent one of the categories of perpetrators of first incidence of sexual violence among children especially girls.
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Uganda has the second youngest population in the world, with children accounting for about 56% of the total population. Child sexual abuse and marriage remain the greatest development challenges Uganda faces today.
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Children in Uganda experience various forms of violence including child neglect, child sacrifice and trafficking, sexual abuse, child marriages, child labour and violence in schools such as corporal punishment.
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Violation of children’s rights, account for the denial and deprivation of children’s fundamental human rights such as education, adequate food and nutrition, access to health services, safety and participation.
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Uganda is ranked among the global hot spots, with high rates of child sexual abuse and child marriages. UNICEF (2015) estimates that for every 10 girls, 5 are married off before the age of 18.
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Policy And Frameworks Supporting Children In Uganda
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UNCRC and its Optional Protocols: This provides for the global provisions which every member state must observe in providing for the rights of the children in the country.
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AFCRWC: Provides for African member states to specifically provide for provisions which protect African children from unique cultural practices which are harmful to children.
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The Constitution of Uganda, 1995 Specifically provides for care and protection of children.
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National Development Plan 2 Specifically considers investment in children as the first step in building a strong human capital to enable the country achieve its vision 2040. This sector is also responsible for ensuring the protection of the rights of children in contact with the law:
- Ensure children are not detained with adults
- Children are not incarcerated in adult prisons,
- Children are not involved in armed combat
- All trials involving children are not delayed, they are free and fair, and only rehabilitative orders are given.
- No child is sentenced to death in case they have been found guilty of capital offences.
- Establishing child friendly procedures, mechanisms and solutions in the juvenile justice system.
- Ensure that the best interest of the child is paramount in determining custody, parentage, alternative care including foster care, guardianship, adoption and sentencing.
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