The Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) has successfully rescued 895 children from the streets of Kampala. The operation, conducted by a dedicated team of health workers, probation officers, and security personnel on the night of 11th January 2023, aims to address child exploitation and provide a path towards healing and a brighter future for these vulnerable children.
The rescued children have been relocated to the Masulita Children’s Village in Wakiso district, which is recognized as a haven of hope and rehabilitation. The operation also resulted in the arrest of 47 adults involved in child trafficking, and they will face legal proceedings. According to KCCA, the majority of these adults hail from the Karamoja region.
Sheila Birungi, the director of gender, community services, and production at KCCA, emphasized that the rescue operation aligns with the Kampala Child Protection Ordinance 2022. The ordinance, under Section 10, prohibits sending a child to beg or solicit for alms in public places, streets, offices, or commercial establishments.
Violations of these provisions carry penalties, including fines of up to sh40,000, imprisonment for a maximum of six months, or a combination of both. The ordinance also condemns profiting from a child engaged in begging or soliciting for alms.
At the Masulita Children’s Village, the rescued children will undergo rehabilitation, and some will be transferred to the Youth Rehabilitation Center in Lorengechora Sub-county, Napak District, before being reunited with their families.
Silvanus Bob Turyamwijuka, the Masulita Children’s Village coordinator, highlighted the holistic approach adopted by the village. This includes spiritual mentoring, engaging games, and vocational training tailored to the unique needs and age groups of the rescued children. The village focuses on psychological and emotional healing and provides hands-on training in practical projects such as piggery, dairy, and agriculture, instilling a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency.
Supported by the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO) and various companies, including Tororo Cement Ltd., which contributed to renovating dormitories, the Masulita Children’s Village remains committed to rescuing and reintegrating street children, empowering them for a dignified return to their homes.
