Child rights organisations have called for stronger protections for children in digital spaces following the recent arrest of 27 girls and young women in Kampala over alleged online prostitution and digital sexual exploitation.
The organisations argue that children found in online sexual activities should be treated primarily as victims of exploitation rather than criminals and have urged government agencies, technology companies, parents, schools and the media to strengthen efforts to protect children online.
Speaking on behalf of the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network’s coalition against sexual violence against children, Executive Director Damon Wamara said the security operation that led to the arrests should serve as a national wake-up call on the growing threat of online sexual exploitation.
“The recent security operations in Kampala that led to the arrest of 27 girls and young women should not be viewed solely through a criminal justice lens,” Wamara said.
“These incidents point to a broader systemic challenge and the urgent need to make digital spaces, homes, schools and communities safer for all children.”
The girls arrested were reportedly aged between 17 and 26 and were accused of engaging in online prostitution and other forms of digital sexual exploitation.
Wamara said children involved in online sexual activities are often victims of coercion, manipulation, abuse, neglect and trafficking rather than willing participants.
“These children are not willing participants but victims who need protection under Uganda’s victim-centred laws, including the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act,” he said.
According to the coalition, the rapid expansion of internet access and social media platforms has increased children’s exposure to online predators, exploitative networks and harmful digital environments.
The group warned that online sexual exploitation takes many forms, including online grooming, child sexual abuse material, sextortion, trafficking facilitated through digital platforms and the live streaming of child sexual abuse.
Wamara noted that many parents, caregivers and community leaders remain unaware of the risks children face online and how to protect them.
The coalition’s concerns were echoed by Tabitha Suubi of Rising Voices, who called for tougher laws and stronger regulation of children’s engagement in digital spaces.
Suubi urged Parliament and the Uganda Communications Commission to work together to establish and enforce age-appropriate access to social media platforms and ensure technology companies take greater responsibility for child safety.
“We call upon the government, through Parliament and in collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission, to strengthen legislation and regulations governing children’s engagement in digital spaces,” Suubi said.
She argued that technology companies should be held accountable for failing to implement adequate safeguards against online exploitation and abuse.
Suubi also challenged parents and caregivers to take a more active role in protecting children online.
“Parents cannot continue to claim that they do not have enough information to protect their children online,” she said.
“They should educate themselves, communicate openly with their children and promote safe internet use.”
She further called on schools to strengthen digital literacy programmes, improve safeguarding measures and closely monitor computer use within their institutions.
The coalition also appealed to journalists, editors and media managers to report on children’s issues responsibly, particularly cases involving sexual violence and exploitation.
“We call upon the media to ethically report children’s issues, including protecting children’s identities, respecting their dignity and privacy, and avoiding sensational coverage that may further stigmatise victims,” Suubi said.
The organisations warned that sexual violence against children can have long-term consequences, including trauma, depression, anxiety, social stigma and school dropout.
They called for a coordinated national response centred on prevention, protection, rehabilitation and psychosocial support for victims, arguing that safeguarding children online requires collective action from government, civil society, families, schools, technology companies and the media.