In Uganda, work is an everyday reality for about 36% of children between the ages of 5 and 14. They are compelled to find an activity that will improve their families’ financial resources, or, if they are orphans, that will enable them to survive. Certain children leave the land of their birth and become servants or work in agricultural sectors in neighboring countries. Child-trafficking is equally prevalent throughout the territory. Children are exploited in a variety of ways; some become the pawns of sex-merchants, while others end up in the drug-trade. Uganda is unfortunately one of the principal sources and destinations of child-trafficking. Homeless street children who avoid falling into the clutches of traffickers have no choice but to beg. And the conditions of their existence are absolutely deplorable.

Many young Ugandan children are forced to live on the streets. They find themselves forced to migrate either because their parents have died, or owing to the drought and misery of the region in which they live. At least 10, 000 children live on the streets in Uganda, particularly in the capital of Kampala. The conditions they face are very bleak and they must constantly fight to survive. Survival is very difficult. Begging is often their only option, even if this practice is very dangerous and frequently leads to their being violently beaten when they ask passersby for money. Children who live on the streets are equally at the mercy of slave traffickers who, despite promising them a better life, quickly take advantage of them. Such children rapidly become the victims of many vile practices and despicable acts. Uganda, 2016