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In a statement, KCCA said the children were not only saved from the clutches of exploitation but it has also initiated a journey towards healing and rebuilding their future.
The operation also led to the arrest of 47 adults involved in child trafficking who will be taken to court. The majority of the rescued children come from the Karamoja region.
The Masulita Children's Village is not just a refuge, it is a haven of hope and rehabilitation. The rescued children, ranging from the youngest to the most advanced in age, are finding solace in the embrace of this safe space.
Sheila Birungi, the director of Gender, Community Services and Production at KCCA, noted that the operation aligns with the Kampala Child Protection Ordinance 2022.
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Under Section 10 of the ordinance, sending a child to beg or solicit for alms in public places, streets, offices, or commercial establishments is strictly forbidden.
The ordinance also prohibits profiting from a child engaged in begging or soliciting for alms. Violators of these provisions could face fines of up to Shs40,000, imprisonment for a maximum of six months, or both.
The rescued children have been transferred to the Masulita Children's Village where they will undergo rehabilitation. Some will also be taken to Koblin in Napak district before being reunited with their families.
Silvanus Bob Turyamwijuka, the Masulita Children's Village Coordinator, expressed a deep sense of commitment to rescuing and reintegrating these street children.
"Our focus is not just on providing shelter; it's about transforming mindsets and building futures. We want to give them hope, counsel them, and equip them with skills that will empower them to return to their homes with dignity," Turyamwijuka said.
The village's holistic approach involves spiritual mentoring, engaging games, and vocational training tailored to the unique needs and age groups of the rescued children.
In addition to fostering psychological and emotional healing, practical projects such as piggery, dairy, and orchards are instilling a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency.
The Masulita Children's Village is supported by the Uganda Women's Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO), a children-focused organization working in collaboration with the government.