Combating child labour in Uganda : challenges and prospects from a development perspective

Abstract

This study was intended to investigate the nature of child labour, continued causes and effects of child labour on development initiatives, establishing the magnitude of the problem and make recommendations for intervention. It was generally established that child labour is a hindrance to developmental programmes by negatively affecting the targeted next generations. The high rate of child labour was mainly attributed to poverty, HIV/AIDS, low incomes, culture, weak laws, invisible phenomenon, population growth, armed conflict, limited access to education opportunities, employment, gender, social attitudes and ignorance, irresponsible parenthood, agriculture and orphan hood. Solutions suggested to child labour included; stronger government intervention, training and awareness raising, further research and adopting a zero-tolerance for child labour. Facilitation of the Universal Primary Education Programme to be improved and stronger bye-laws should to be adopted.