In spite of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2009 in Uganda, child trafficking from Karamoja is going on unabated. Over the last 15 years, Karamoja has experienced increased rates of child migration to urban centres, representing a shift from ancient typical Karamojong migration patterns. However, what baffles is that, out of about 63 sub-counties in Karamoja, 80% of these children come from Napak district and from the three sub counties of Lopei, Lokopo and Iririri where most of the Karamojong elites hail from. This current influx of children from Karamoja to Kampala is mostly attributed to the ‘begging entrepreneurs’. These are mostly women, who lure parents to surrender their children to be taken for begging in the cities, with a promise to remit money to them.
On The parents are even given ‘gifts’ in advance, to entice them. This is a form of slave trade, child labour and exploitation of minors. It is an undesirable situation that dehumanizes and brings trauma to our own children in Uganda. When these children are trafficked to Kampala, they are made to live in squalid conditions, with poor sanitation, low access to health services; denied the right to education, denied parental care and are tortured emotionally as they beg against their will. They mostly live in informal settlements of Kisenyi and Katwe in wattle and mud made temporary shelters.
There is gross denial of children’s rights, the future leaders of tomorrow. This is a paradoxical situation where kids ‘work’ in undesirable conditions and against their wish to take care of adults through begging. The government has actively been addressing the challenge. In 2007, it launched a programme to withdraw the beggars from the streets of Kampala and resettle them to their communities.
The same programme was repeated in June 2019. Children are forcefully resettled with the help of KCCA law enforcement department and Police to Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Center, a designated transit center before transporting them to Kobulin in Napak district for eventual reintegration with their families. However, few individuals from Karamoja community have criticized the Karamojong beggar repatriation programs.
The Church has a role to play in ensuring that people live dignified lives in addition to catering for their spiritual needs. We in the Diocese of Moroto could not remain indifferent to our children taking to begging in Kampala.
To supplement the effort of other stakeholder’s in ensuring the general wellbeing of Karamojong children in Kampala, the Women and Equal Opportunities desk (WEOD)-Moroto Diocese, coordinated by Sr. Fernanda Cristinelli, Comboni Missionary Sisters, in partnership with In Need Home an NGO working in slums of Kampala have established St. Daniel Comboni Children Centre (SDCCC) in Katwe slum.
It was opened in June 2019 by His Grace Damiano Giulio Guzzetti, the Bishop of Moroto Diocese and Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs. On the same day, the Bishop of Moroto Diocese confirmed 45 Karamojong children. Back in Karamoja, WEOD in collaboration with Justice and Peace Desk of Moroto Diocese are conducting grass root sensitization against the vice of child trafficking. SDCCC addresses challenges faced by the vulnerable Karamojong children who are living in adversity in slums. It is intended to receive up to 100 children on a daily basis for them to recreate; play and enjoy their childhood and gain some practical skills in basic literacy and good personal hygiene habits. The centre, which is a safe space for the children, emphasizes social skill building, basic literacy and numeracy to prepare them for formal and main stream education in primary school.
In collaboration with COWA-Centenary Vocational training school (CVTS) in Nsambya, the teenage girls are provided with vocational skills. Most of these youths are mostly engaged in sorting of beans in St. Balikuddembe (Owino) Market an activity we believe is not sustainable.
By working with Karamojong community in Kampala and in Napak District, we have realized that not all Karamojong support the vice of child labour in Kampala. We know that with our activities in Social Skill Building, Psycho social support and hope restoration sessions together with the great love that moves St. Daniel Comboni Children Centre, the hope for the Karamojong children will remain alive.
(Sr. Fernanda Cristinelli and the Staff of St. Daniel Comboni Children Centre in Katwe-Kampala)
