KCCA Intensifies Crackdown on Child Begging and Exploitation on Kampala Streets

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has stepped up operations against street begging involving children and vulnerable people, warning that the practice is exposing them to exploitation and unsafe living conditions.The Authority said some of Kampala’s busiest streets have increasingly become centres where vulnerable individuals are used to collect money from members of the public instead of receiving proper care and support.

Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki expressed concern over reports of sick people being removed from hospitals and placed on streets to attract sympathy donations from motorists and pedestrians.Buzeki said exposing sick and vulnerable people to harsh conditions such as dust, rain, extreme heat, and heavy traffic puts their health and lives at greater risk.She described the practice as a threat to public health and human dignity, saying Kampala should not become a place where vulnerable citizens are displayed for financial gain.The KCCA Executive Director revealed that enforcement teams have started rescuing affected individuals from different locations within the city and taking them to government health facilities and rehabilitation centres for assistance.

She warned that individuals found using children or sick people for begging activities would face legal action, including arrest and prosecution.Buzeki also appealed to members of the public to stop giving money directly to street beggars, particularly children, saying such donations may unintentionally encourage exploitation networks and keep children away from school.She encouraged well-wishers to instead support recognised rehabilitation centres and organisations where vulnerable children and individuals can receive proper care, education, counselling, and healthcare services.According to KCCA, some children rescued during previous operations have been successfully returned to schools and supported through rehabilitation programmes.

The crackdown is part of a wider city enforcement campaign launched in February 2026 aimed at restoring order, improving public spaces, and addressing activities affecting Kampala’s urban environment.The Authority has also been carrying out operations against illegal vending, road obstructions, and blocked pedestrian walkways in the central business district and other parts of the city.KCCA said the interventions have improved movement and cleanliness along several major roads, including Luwum Street, Namirembe Road, Ben Kiwanuka Street, Nakasero Road, and Allen Road.Buzeki urged residents, traders, and motorists to cooperate with the ongoing reforms, saying a cleaner, safer, and more organised Kampala requires the involvement of all city users.