By Mike Rwothomio

Pupils from 12 primary schools in Abanga and Paidha sub-counties in Zombo district have raised serious concerns over persistent child labour, particularly in the agricultural sector, urging local authorities and stakeholders to intensify child protection efforts and safeguard children’s right to education.

The learners marked the belated observance of the International Day Against Child Labour and the Day of the African Child through drama performances, poems, riddles, and educative songs that highlighted the negative impacts of child labour.

The activities, held on Friday, June 19, 2026 in respective schools , were organised under the “Stop Child Labour” project’s sustainability phase.

The 2026 World Day Against Child Labour theme, “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” guided the learners’ advocacy.

Atimango Angle, a pupil at Kaya Primary School in Paidha sub-county, said many of her peers miss school due to lack of scholastic materials and are instead subjected to heavy garden work at home. She appealed to duty-bearers to address the violation of children’s rights.

Jonathan Odongo from Jupumwocu Primary School highlighted how excessive domestic and agricultural workloads force many children to drop out of school, calling for urgent multi-sectoral action.

Kajik Parwoth Savior, also from Kaya Primary School, attributed high dropout rates to some parents’ deliberate failure to provide basic needs, urging stronger social welfare interventions to secure a brighter future for vulnerable children.

Seasonal Surge in Coffee-Growing Areas

Child labour remains a critical child protection concern in Zombo District, particularly during the coffee harvesting season from August to January, when many pupils abandon classrooms to work for minimal income.

Mr. Willy Ocaya, the project focal person for Paidha and Abanga sub-counties, called on sub-county and district leaders to sustain community engagement with parents, caregivers, and other stakeholders.

“We have brought this celebration to the sub-counties to ensure sustainability. We are appealing to sub-county leaders to continue engaging different stakeholders and district leaders so that our children remain in school,” Ocaya said.

Project Background

The year-long “Stop Child Labour” project, funded by Education International and implemented by UNATU, has operated in the two sub-counties since 2017. Its key objectives include reducing school dropout rates, preventing teenage pregnancies, and addressing early marriages among children in rural communities. The project is now in its winding-up phase.

According to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, an estimated 6.2 million children (40%) aged 5–17 years are engaged in child labour in Uganda. Many are exposed to hazardous conditions due to poverty and lack of access to basic education.

Globally, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF estimate 160 million children in child labour, with 79 million in hazardous work.

In Uganda, the prevalence surged from 14% in 2016/17 to 39.5% (6.2 million) in 2021, excluding household chores.

Project implementers have emphasised the need for continued multi-stakeholder partnerships involving local governments, communities, schools, and civil society to prevent and eliminate child labour, especially in Uganda’s coffee supply chain.

Zombo District authorities initiated the development of an Education Ordinance in 2023, which leaders believe will provide a stronger legal framework for child protection once fully enacted.

Pupils of Pakadha Primary School during the day

Mike Rwothomio is news editor is at Zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub for African news, trends and updates.