Uganda launches $34 million program to end child marriage in Karamoja
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The Ugandan government and its partners began a Shs12.5 billion (approximately $34 million) program to prevent child marriage and other exploitation of children in the Karamoja region of Uganda.
The three-year Uganda Hotspot Programme will work in the Napak, Moroto, and Amudat districts, reaching an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 children and their families across nearly 300 communities.
The initiative brings together the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the Freedom Fund, and eight local organizations to address the root causes of child exploitation. Research from the Freedom Fund and AfriChild Centre revealed that 73 percent of people in Moroto and Napak reported girls in their areas typically marry before age 17. This practice is often connected to poverty, child labor, and school dropout.
State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development Mercy Faith Lakisa explained that simply enforcing laws isn’t enough to end child marriage, and that poverty reduction is key. The program will focus on supporting households through climate-adapted farming, savings groups, and vocational training. It also aims to reconnect children to education and link vulnerable families to existing government programs like the Parish Development Model.
Youth advisors and program implementers emphasized the need to invest in survivors of child marriage and empower young people to shape policies affecting their futures. Locally led organizations will play a crucial role in driving lasting change.
