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A CHILD IN
UGANDA IS ANY PERSON BELOW THE AGE OF 18 YEARS.
Any decision made under this law
shall be based on the best interests and well being of the
child. Child's rights mean the basic needs that a child
must have to ensure his/her growth and development.
Sec.5 1. A child in Uganda has
the right to live with his or her parents. If the child
and parent are separated by the law, for example, by a
care order, the child must be provided with a home similar
to a family setting wherever possible.
Sec.6 2.A child has a right to
be educated and guided (that is to be shown the proper way
to behave), immunized, give proper food clothing, medical
care and a home by his or her parents, guardians or
custodian.
3. A child has the right to be
protected from violence, ill treatment and
any behavior that might show a lack of care or interest in
the child.
4.A child has the right to be
protected from any form of discrimination, that is given
different treatment because of her/his sex, religion,
cultural or social back ground.
Sec.8 5.A child has the right to
be protected from any social or customary practices that
are dangerous to the child's health.
Sec.9 6. A child has the right
not to be made to work or take part in any activity
whether for pay or not which is likely to injure the
child's health, education, mental, physical or moral
development. For example, all children have to help out in
household work, but they must do so according to their age
and ability.
Sec.10 7. The parents of a child
with disabilities (such as the deaf, dumb, lame or blind)
and the state shall have the duty to have the child
examined to find out the type and the extent of the
disability as early as possible. The child shall then be
treated and given facilities to help him/her live as
normal a life that is possible.
Are you aware that even the
street children have got rights? Below are some of them,
Preventing children from coming to the streets or working
with children on the streets would require providing a way
for children in especially difficult circumstances, to
enjoy the basic rights to:
An adequate diet.
Clothing.
Shelter.
Health care.
Emotional care and love.
Guidance.
Leisure time (free time to
explore the world for themselves as children),
Protection from harm or
exploitation.
Education.
Furthermore, every child has a
right to live with his/her parents or guardians, and every
parent has a parental responsibility for his or her child.
(The children statute, 1996, Part II, Sec.6). The family
is usually considered the best place for the child's
growth (see 4.3 this document). Street children are in
need of care and protection and have to be handled
according to the position of the Children Statute.
However, some street children may commit offences that may
lead to involvement of law enforcement bodies and the
courts. The formal proceedings for handling these cases
are contained in the children's statute. The above
mentioned basic rights for children have a significant
impact on any programme designed to assist street
children. Programmes must take into consideration the
following basic principles:
Equal access to children's
rights: All children shall enjoy equal rights without
discrimination; this include street children. The UN
convention and the children statute safeguard children's
rights for all children. Street children shall not be
discriminated against and need to be protected from
harassment like any other children.
Access to education:
Access to education is every child's basic right and
essential for integration of children into society. The
Universal Primary Education (U.P.E) programmed has helped
by assisting four children out of every family to
participate in formal education. School dropouts must be
supported with alternative basic education, life skill
and work training where formal education is inappropriate |
