Ideas, evidence and perspectives from the work.

What you need to know about Child Labor in Uganda

In recent years, Uganda has experienced a significant surge in child labor, rising from 14% in 2016/17 to 39.5% equivalent to 6.2 million children in 2021 (UBOS, 2021). This figure excludes children involved in household chores. This increase has occurred despite numerous policy interventions and the implementation of national action plans aimed at eliminating child labor by the Government of Uganda. The issue is especially prevalent in the agricultural sector, where many very young children are engaged in hazardous and exploitative work. More recently, concerns about child labor in global supply chains have gained prominence in public discourse. Recognizing the limited effectiveness of voluntary guidelines and frameworks, several countries have introduced mandatory due diligence legislation. In response, many multinational corporations have begun integrating corporate sustainability due diligence into their business models to address child labor risks in their supply chains.

Tackling Uganda’s Secondary School Dropout crisis through Infrastructure Development

In many parts of Western Uganda, poor school infrastructure has emerged as a silent but powerful driver of student dropouts, particularly in underserved and refugee-hosting communities. Crumbling classrooms, overcrowded learning spaces, lack of clean water and sanitation, and long distances to the nearest school all contribute to a challenging learning environment that discourages children from attending and completing their education.

How the high Cost of school fees is forcing Ugandan Children out of School

In Uganda today, the vision of free and inclusive education remains a national aspiration. Since the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1997 and Universal Secondary Education (USE) in 2007, the government has made notable strides toward improving access to learning for all children. However, the full realization of these policies continues to face implementation challenges especially for low-income and rural families, for whom the cost of education has become an increasing concern.

ENHANCING ACCESS TO EDUCATION, CHILD PROTECTION, AND ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN THROUGH MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS.

Joy for Children Uganda, through the Uganda Secondary School Expansion Project (USEEP) , has been actively engaging communities in a series of media engagements aimed at promoting education and encouraging parents and guardians to prioritize sending their children to school. Recognizing that education is a fundamental tool for breaking cycles of poverty and protecting children from harmful practices such as child marriage, JFCU has leveraged radio talk shows as a powerful platform to reach and educate communities on the importance of keeping children in school.

Joy for Children Uganda's Impact on Strengthening Child Safeguards in World Bank Projects

Joy for Children Uganda (JFCU) played a pivotal role in influencing the World Bank's decision to strengthen child safeguarding mechanisms in response to issues arising from the Uganda Transport Sector Development Project (TSDP).

ADDRESSING PERIOD POVERTY IN RURAL SCHOOLS

Period poverty continues to be a major issue for millions of girls, especially in rural areas, whereaccess to menstrual hygiene products, clean water, and sanitation facilities is limited. In Uganda,many girls face this challenge, which prevents them from attending school during their menstrualcycle and disrupts their education.

EMPOWERING CHILDREN TO OVERCOME CLIMATE CHALLENGES

Uganda Faces Health Crisis as USAID Funding Withdrawal Deepens

Uganda is on the brink of a major health crisis following the withdrawal of USAID funding, a decision that has disrupted critical programs across the country. The immediate impact is being felt in health facilities like Komamboga Hospital, where thousands of people relying on lifesaving HIV treatment and prevention services have been left stranded.

Impact of USAID Funding Withdrawal on Local Communities in Uganda

The recent directive from the U.S. administration issued on January 24, 2025 has paused nearly all foreign aid including significant funding to Uganda. The withdrawal of funding from USAID-funded projects has far-reaching and multifaceted effects on local communities in Uganda given the significant role USAID has played in supporting the essential sectors of health, education, food security, economic development, and governance. The absence of this support disrupts services that millions of Ugandans depend on for their well being and livelihoods.