Ugandan legislators on May 22 approved a bill making it a criminal offense to offer any form of assistance to the begging children on Kampala streets.
The move emerged after it was discovered that the children were being exploited by adults, using them to plead for money from the general public on their behalf.
The law is still restricted to the City Kampala.
Abetting the vice which has been commonplace on Kampala streets will see the offender serve up to six (6) months in prison or pay a fine of Ug. Shs 41350.
Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago has welcomed the by law. He says it is also aimed at curbing down commercial and sexual exploitation of children by especially by dealing with those who are aggravating the crime.
“The law will penalize traffickers, agents and parents of the children found begging or selling items on the street,” Lukwago said.
Children are trafficked from various parts of the country and forced by the ‘business owners’ to live in small rooms within the City’s slums.
The law will also make it illegal to rent a house to a child for immoral activities or for a child to engage in petty trade.
However, this bill has not received calm reception from the street beggars.
Paska Chelimo, 58, a beggar, says she uses children to accompany her in order to gain enough sympathy from the public to give money.
“As long as we see children coming, we will force our way on the streets. We are ready to be imprisoned,” she said.
Statistics indicate that Kampala streets have over 15000 street children aged between 7-17 and the numbers are still escalating.
