Street children crisis worsens in Mbarara as city authorities struggle to contain growing problem

Mbarara City is grappling with a growing crisis of street children despite numerous interventions by city authorities over the past year.

Despite efforts to arrest, screen, and resettle 67 children last year, the number of street children continues to rise, prompting concerns among residents and local leaders about the city's capacity to address the issue effectively.

Throughout Mbarara City, street children can be seen begging for money or collecting plastic, scrap, and garbage.

Many of these children, who are homeless and vulnerable, are being exploited for cheap labor by the local community.

Some work for meager pay, while others perform petty jobs in exchange for food or minimal cash, which only perpetuates their presence on the streets.

These children live in dire conditions, often sleeping on verandas, in trenches, or drainage pipes. Kevin Nuwagaba, a 13-year-old from Rubirizi District, shared how he came to Mbarara looking for work but ended up on the streets after his employer failed to pay him.

"I hoped to earn some money, but when I wasn’t paid, I had no choice but to stay here. If I get some money, I will go back home," Nuwagaba explained.

While many of these children are in desperate need of help, some have turned to criminal activities, posing a growing threat to the community.

Siraji Mubiru , LC1 Chairperson of Central Cell in Nyamityobora—a known ghetto area—reported a significant increase in street children, many of whom collect scrap and plastic bottles to survive.

"Most of these children join the streets when they are around 8 years old, and as they grow up, they remain in the streets and become street men," Mubiru said.

Mubiru emphasized that while some children engage in crime, many are simply desperate and need support.

"Not all of them are thieves; some are just desperate," he noted.

Mubiru called on the city council to take swift action, stating, "This issue is beyond the capacity of the LC1; the city council needs to intervene."

He also urged the community to show compassion and guidance, saying, "Parents should treat these street children as their own and offer them advice when they come to them."

Mbarara City Senior Probation Officer, Henry Mushabe , acknowledged that despite previous efforts, the problem of street children has only worsened.

"We could have more than 150 street kids on the streets now," Mushabe revealed, attributing the rise to factors such as poverty, domestic violence, and school dropouts.

"Some children are also dishonest about why they left home, which makes it difficult to fully understand the root causes," he added.

To address the escalating crisis, city authorities are planning a child welfare meeting to discuss further interventions.

"After Tuesday's meeting, we will ensure that these young ones are resettled," Mushabe said, stressing the urgency of finding sustainable solutions to prevent a future surge in crime.

"It is true, the number of street children is increasing every day, and we need sustainable solutions to prevent this city from nurturing tomorrow’s thieves," he emphasized.

Mushabe also appealed to local scrap dealers to stop hiring children for petty jobs, as it only encourages them to remain on the streets.

"As an office, we are not sitting idle. We are working on solutions, but it will require cooperation from the entire community," Mushabe noted, highlighting the need for collective action to solve the growing problem.