Busoga, a region in eastern Uganda, has long been known for its lush sugarcane plantations. However, the booming sugarcane industry has had an unexpected consequence – a decline in education standards and an increase in child labor. Many children in Busoga are being forced to drop out of school to work on sugarcane plantations. The lucrative nature of the crop has led parents to prioritize economic gain over their children’s education.
According to a recent report, over 30% of children in Busoga are engaged in child labor, with most working on sugarcane farms. This issue affects not only the boy child but also girls. Children are involved in various sugarcane-related activities, including cutting, loading, offloading, digging, and driving. These tasks take significant time and energy away from their studies, ultimately affecting their academic performance. Children involved in sugarcane growing often have lower academic achievements.
A study conducted in Kakira Sub-County, Jinja District, revealed that 90.7% of children in the area are engaged in sugarcane-related activities. Of these, 74% are involved in cutting, loading, and offloading, 20% in digging, and 5% in driving. These activities are major contributors to the high rate of school dropouts in the area.
The study recommends several interventions, including government action to implement strict laws and policies, regulation of sugarcane farming practices, and sensitization of parents and students about the importance of education. Schools should be encouraged to engage both parents and children in discussions about the value of education.
Hon. Esther Mbayo, former Minister for the Presidency and Woman MP for Luuka District, one of the districts in the Busoga sub-region, stated, “Sugarcane growing can provide financial benefits to smallholder farmers and help with food security. In fact, one study found that households that grew sugarcane were 17% less food insecure than those that did not. Sugarcane farming also creates employment opportunities and contributes taxes to the government.”
However, Hon. Mbayo acknowledged that sugarcane growing also has negative consequences, including food insecurity, loss of biodiversity, child labor, and education challenges that result in school dropouts and teenage pregnancies.
In an effort to protect the younger generation, Hon. Mbayo introduced a system to support school-going children through non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These NGOs focus on providing scholastic materials and other essential supplies to students, as outlined in her documents.
