The Iganga District Community Development Officer, Saidi Mukuti, has raised alarms over a significant increase in child labour cases during the long school holiday. Mukuti points to the cultural practice of polygamy within the Basoga community as a key factor driving this unfortunate trend.
Polygamy’s Economic Strain: According to Mukuti, in the Basoga community, where polygamy is prevalent, men often marry multiple wives, leading to large families. This cultural practice results in an overwhelming number of children for whom financial support becomes a daunting challenge. “In many homes, parents are struggling to meet the basic needs of their families,” Mukuti noted, highlighting how the economic strain pushes children out of school and into the workforce prematurely.
Child Labour in Iganga: During the school holiday, the absence of education as an occupation for children has exacerbated the problem. With schools closed, children are seen working in various capacities, from agricultural fields to local markets, often for minimal or no wages. This not only deprives them of their right to education but also exposes them to hazardous working conditions, health risks, and exploitation.
Community and Cultural Context: The Basoga, one of Uganda’s Bantu ethnic groups, have a long-standing tradition of polygamy, which is deeply embedded in their cultural practices. While this tradition has its roots in social status and wealth, in modern contexts, it has led to unintended consequences like increased child labour. The cultural expectation for men to have many children as a sign of prosperity has not evolved with the economic realities of today’s Uganda, where resources are stretched thin.
Efforts to Combat the Issue: Mukuti is calling for community engagement and education to address these cultural practices’ repercussions. Initiatives include working with local leaders and NGOs to promote family planning, raise awareness about the dangers of child labour, and provide support for families in need. There’s also a push towards vocational training for older children to help them find sustainable employment without relying on exploitative child labour.
Government and NGO Response: The Ugandan government, through its Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, has been implementing policies aimed at reducing child labour, including stricter enforcement of child labour laws and providing subsidies for education. NGOs are also stepping in with programs that focus on child welfare, education sponsorships, and economic empowerment of families to reduce dependency on child labour.
Mukuti’s observations underscore a complex interplay of cultural practices and economic realities, urging a multi-faceted approach to tackle child labour in Iganga District. The challenge lies not only in addressing immediate needs but also in changing long-standing cultural norms to protect the future of Uganda’s youngest citizens.
