On the busy streets of Kampala, children no older than ten are a common sight—carrying trays of boiled eggs, mangoes, tomatoes, and groundnuts as they weave between moving vehicles, calling out to customers. These are not quick errands for their families; this is their daily hustle.
As the number of child hawkers grows across the city and its suburbs, child rights advocates are sounding the alarm over a disturbing trend that is robbing thousands of children of education, safety, and dignity.
Childhood Traded for Survival
The rise in child hawking is particularly evident during school holidays, but in recent months, even school days have failed to keep children off the streets. Many now skip class—or drop out entirely—to support their families in the face of deepening economic hardship.
Despite occasional enforcement crackdowns by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), children return to the streets almost immediately, often running from officers in a cat-and-mouse game that highlights the system’s failure to address root causes.
Experts warn that children hawking in traffic are exposed to constant danger. Road accidents are a daily threat, with children darting between cars on highways and roundabouts. Many also suffer from health issues caused by long exposure to harsh weather and pollution.
Beyond physical dangers, these children are vulnerable to exploitation by adults who use them as cheap labour. Some face abuse or manipulation by criminal networks, while others are left unprotected in a city that can be both harsh and predatory.
A recent report by the Lutheran World Federation paints a grim picture: nearly 6.3 million children in Uganda—about 40% of those aged 5 to 17—are engaged in some form of child labour. Over half of them are under 12 years old, often involved in hazardous work.
The law is not the issue, say experts. Uganda has strong legal frameworks around child protection and labour, but implementation remains weak. Enforcement is inconsistent, and in many communities, child labour is normalized as part of family survival.
Poverty, Culture, and System Failure
Families often send children to work out of desperation. With rising unemployment, food insecurity, and the ever-increasing cost of living, many parents view their children’s income—even if meagre—as essential. Cultural attitudes that accept child work in family businesses also contribute to the growing crisis.
Legal consultant Edrine Wanyama notes that while Uganda has “a very good law about child protection,” enforcement is often lacking. Children continue to slip through the cracks of a system overwhelmed by economic and social pressures.
Child rights activists say the growing number of child hawkers in Kampala is not just a reflection of poverty—it is a failure of national policy and protection systems. They are urging the government, civil society, and communities to work together to prioritize education, enforce existing laws, and provide support to struggling families.
Without urgent intervention, Kampala risks becoming a city where childhood is bartered away for daily survival—and where the streets become classrooms of hardship instead of learning.
