Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, has vowed to take action against a suspected criminal network accused of bringing vulnerable Karamojong children onto the streets of Kampala and other urban areas for exploitation.
Speaking during a ministry gathering, Tumukunde said investigations into the alleged group are already ongoing, promising that those behind the practice will soon be arrested.
“I am going to get this Karamajong gang. Very soon, very soon, I’m researching them. I am going to get them—these ones who bring children to the streets,” Gen. Tumukunde said.
For years, children from the Karamoja sub-region have been found begging on streets in Kampala and other towns, with authorities linking the situation to poverty, drought, food insecurity, and alleged organised exploitation networks.
Reports indicate that thousands of children have been affected by the practice, with some allegedly transported from Karamoja to urban centres to beg for money.
Tumukunde’s latest warning follows his earlier commitment before Parliament in June 2026 to prioritise efforts aimed at addressing the street children crisis and dismantling groups involved in child exploitation.
“I am going to get this Karamajong gang. Very soon Very soon, I’m down researching on them. I am going to get them, very soon these ones who bring children to the street.”
– Gen Henry Tumukunde
Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development pic.twitter.com/76awiLJ8lu— Hon. Arnold Ankunda (@HonAnkunda) July 25, 2026
