PREFACE
Uganda in a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international instrument agreed to by most
of the States in the World. Not withstanding this fact, Uganda and other African Countries ratified the African
Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The Charter was signed by Uganda in February 1992 and
ratified on the 17th August 1994. While this seems to be a duplication of efforts, African nations out of the
recognition of the situation of African children found it necessary to have this Charter. Some of the
considerations were the socio-economic, cultural, traditional and developmental circumstances, natural
disasters, armed conflict, exploitation affecting most of Africa; the unique and privileged position children hold
in Africa; the need for children to grow in a family environment in an atmosphere of love and happiness; the
cultural heritage, historical background and the values of the African civilization; the consideration that the
promotion, protection and respect of the rights and welfare of the child also implies duty on the part of
everyone, sometimes including children, who have responsibilities for the realisation of their rights.
The ratification of the Charter, like any other regional or international instrument bounds Uganda to undertake
measures to give effect to the provisions enshrined in the Charter and periodically report to the Committee
such progress. Uganda‟s initial report was due in 2006, a reporting time frame that was delayed due to the
African Union‟s delay to provide guidelines and related mechanisms for State Parties to report. This initial
report is in fulfilment of that commitment outlined in Article 43 (1) of the Charter, which requires state Party to
submit the report to the African Committee of Expert through the Secretary-General of the African Union (AU).
The Government of Uganda is committed to achieve a society where children, its largest population and asset
live to their full potential. To that effect, since the ratification of the Charter, the Government of Uganda has
taken several steps to implement the provisions of the Charter. These are outlined in consonance with the
reporting guidelines of the Charter as follows. Section 1 of the report gives a general background including an
introduction, methodology of reporting and the country profile. Section 2 details general measures of
implementation, Section 3 reviews the definition of the child and its related challenges, section 4,covers the
general principles, section 5 the civil rights and freedoms, section 6, family environment and alternative care,
section 7 health and welfare and sections 8 and 9 education, leisure and cultural activities, and special
protection measures respectively.
In this report, it will be noted that Uganda has taken big strides towards promoting the inherent right to child
survival, development and protection for all children albeit the several challenges encountered. Challenges
range from poverty, conflict, illiteracy to HIV/AIDS pandemic among others. However, such challenges
notwithstanding, the Government is undertaking progressive steps to promote child rights guided by the
international and regional human rights laws and policies. This is in acknowledgment that investments in
children are extraordinarily productive and promoting and respecting their rights lays the foundation for a just
society, a strong economy, and a world free of poverty1. It is also upon this basis that Uganda commits itself to
reporting on international and regional instruments in order to seek review and guidance from the relevant
Committees and other related stakeholders. It is my humble belief that the outcome of this report will form one
of the guidelines that will be used for further progress towards full realisation of the rights of children in
Uganda.
Syda M.N.Bbumba (MP)
Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development
1
WFFC, 2002, sec. 50, p21
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