Situation analySiS

Situation analySiS of Children in uganda 2015Nevertheless, there remain critical challenges. There is lack of policy and a strategic frameworkto guide JLOS interventions for children. In addition, although justice for childrenissues are now reflected in the sector plans of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children(UPFC), DPP and judiciary, they are not yet included in the MoGLSD sector plan. A key challengeis the disproportionate emphasis on children in conflict with the law without regardfor children at risk or victims of violence, or for safeguarding the best interests of childrenwho are adopted and those who are placed in residential care.5.2.8 Hazardous forms of child labourIt is estimated that about 2.4 million children are engaged in exploitative child labour, outof which 1.7 million are below 14 years of age (MoGLSD, 2012a). Almost 93% of children inrural areas are believed to be engaged in commercial or subsistence agriculture (land tilling,sowing, weeding and harvesting) and fishing. Those children in plantation agriculture aresuspected to work in the most hazardous conditions and risky forms of labour, as they areexposed to chemicals, heat, extra hours and harsh conditions. Children aged between 5 and17 years also make up the majority of the workforce in the informal sector (Walakira andNyanzi, 2012: 67).TABLE11: percentAGe of worKinG children (5–17 yeArs) by reGionWorking Kampala Central Eastern Northern Western UgandaMale 25.2 53.3 54.4 47.1 55.4 51.8Female 25.4 50.3 51.4 43.5 56.0 49.4Both sexes 25.3 52.1 53.0 46.3 55.7 50.6source: ubos, 2010: 134FIGURE 14: mAin reAsons for child lAbour in uGAndA (2005)source: wAlAKirA And byAmuGishA, 2005thE rIGht to ProtECtIoN77