Enhancing Child Protection Awareness on Wikipedia: A Research-Based Approach to Expanding and Improving Information on Child Abuse, Policy and Protective Services

 NOVEMBER, 2025

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT /CONTRIBUTORS

1. DATA COLLECTION TEAM
   1. Kirabo Ambrose, SID 214658 -Recent trends & statistics on child abuse
   2. Atwine Blessed, SID 047202 – Recent trends & statistics on child abuse
   3. Anyango Rita, SID 214721– Notable real-world cases illustrating current challenges and responses within the child protection systems.
   4. Kraido Majune, SID 046559 – Notable real-world cases illustrating current challenges and responses within the child protection systems.
   5. Najuma Stellah Ridha, SID 232774 -Recent Policy reforms or Legislative measures in place to strengthen child protection and prevent child abuse.
   6. Kiberu Ian, SID 202868– Recent Policy reforms or Legislative measures in place to strengthen child protection and prevent child abuse.
   7. Kateeba Jude, SID 035697 – How child protection services function in identifying, preventing and responding to child abuse as well as the strengths and weaknesses in their
   8. Ojok Justine, SID 189285 – How child protection services function in identifying, preventing and responding to child abuse as well as the strengths and weaknesses in their

 

II.             THE WRITE UP TEAM

1. Acipa Rosemary, SID 235801 -Research Topic, Abstract, Introduction & Research
2. Mwehezi Alex Edgar, SID 164190 – Literature Review
3. Agaba Gerald Kakima, SID 007693 -Literature Review
4. Higenyi Franklin, SID 189501– Discussion & Findings
5. Kirikumwino Susan, SID 237085 –Discussion &
6. Nyarubona Norman, SID 235026 – Recommendation & Conclusion
7. Nankinga Marion, SID 91220– Review and Editing of the entire write-
8. Oluga Johnson, SID 235381– Review and Editing of the entire write-

 

III.             FACILITATORS:

1. Martha Kibuka-Musoke
2. Mike Tikkenan

 

ABSTRACT

This research explores how Wikipedia can serve as an effective platform for promoting public awareness and understanding of child protection and child abuse issues. The study is undertaken in collaboration with Kids At Risk Action (KARA) through the Riipen experiential learning program, which connects students to real-world projects that combine academic research with community impact. The project seeks to identify how accurate, well-organized, and accessible information on Wikipedia can contribute to raising awareness and supporting advocacy efforts in the area of child welfare.

The research focuses on four major themes: child abuse statistics, case studies, policy changes, and the operations of child protective services. Using qualitative and desk-based research methods, the study gathers information from academic literature, government reports, and verified online databases. The collected data are then used to assess the adequacy of existing Wikipedia content and to guide the development or improvement of articles related to child protection.

By examining the quality, coverage, and presentation of child protection information on Wikipedia, the study aims to understand how digital knowledge platforms can be leveraged to educate the public, inform policy discussions, and support organizations that work with vulnerable children. In addition, it highlights the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and advocacy organizations in ensuring that online information is both accurate and socially meaningful.

Overall, this research contributes to a broader understanding of how open-access platforms like Wikipedia can be used as tools for social awareness and education. It emphasizes the potential of student-led projects to strengthen public communication on child welfare issues while building research and analytical skills within an academic context.

In conclusion, this study finds that Uganda has made notable progress in establishing a legal and policy framework for child protection, demonstrating a clear commitment to addressing child abuse. However, a significant gap remains in implementation and enforcement of these laws. Limited resources, uneven institutional capacity, and persistent social barriers continue to hinder effective protection and reporting mechanisms. These shortcomings suggest that while the foundation for safeguarding children exists, further practical measures are required to ensure that the legal protections translate into meaningful outcomes for vulnerable children.

Contents

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS/CONTRIBUTORS………………………………………………………………. i

ABSTRACT………………………………………….. iii

LIST OF ACRONYMS………………………….. vi

• INTRODUCTION……………………….. 7
• RESEARCH QUESTIONS………….. 9
• LITERATURE REVIEW…………… 10
  • Introduction…………………………… 10
  • Child abuse……………………………… 10
    • Forms of child abuse……….. 11
    • Child abuse rates and statistics………………………….. 12
    • Child abuse in Uganda…….. 13
  • Child Protective Services………… 13
• METHODOLOGY…………………….. 15
  • Research Design…………………….. 15
  • Data Collection Methods and Sources………………………………….. 15
  • Data analysis………………………….. 15
• FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION….. 16
  • Introduction…………………………… 16
  • Overview of Findings……………… 16
  • Comparative Legal and Policy Analysis…………………………………. 16
  • Identified Gaps………………………… 18
    • Institutional fragmentation 18
    • Cultural resistance………….. 18
    • Data deficiency……………….. 18
    • Limited capacity and funding………………………………………. 19
    • Weak survivor engagement 19
    • Lack of protective confidential reporting systems…………………………… 19
  • Positive Developments and Emerging Best Practices in Uganda………………………………….. 19
  • Conclusion…………………………….. 20
• RECOMMENDATIONS……………. 22
  • strengthen laws that prohibit child abuse……………………………………… 22
  • Uphold Children rights…………… 22
  • Institutional Coordination………. 22
  • Learn positive parenting skills… 22
  • Increase support services and community outreaches……………. 22
  • Challenge harmful norms……….. 22
  • Invest in education of children… 23
  • Educate children about their rights…………………………………….. 23
  • Report abuse………………………….. 23
  • Implementing a research agenda 23
  • Building a strong family environment…………………………… 23
• REFERENCES………………………….. 24

 

LIST OF ACRONYMS

 

CPS	Child Protective Services
UNICEF	United Nations Children’s Fund
WHO	World Health Organization
FGM	Female Genital Mutilation
KARA	Kids At Risk Action
VACS	Violence Against Children Survey
NGO	Non-Governmental Organization

 

1.0               INTRODUCTION.

With digital technology becoming part and parcel of today’s everyday life¹, there has been notable prevalence of online child abuse and violence². Child protection therefore remains a global concern³, with millions of children facing abuse, neglect, exploitation, and inadequate access to protective services each year. According to UNICEF⁴, child abuse continues to affect communities across social, economic, and cultural contexts. This makes public awareness a critical component of prevention and early intervention⁵.

Despite efforts by governments, civil society, and international organizations, public knowledge about the nature, extent, and consequences of child abuse often remains limited or inconsistent⁶. Lack of awareness of child abuse can contribute to its occurrence and subsequent re-occurrences⁷. This lack of awareness is mainly because the coverage remains uneven, lacks clarity, depth, some of the information is not verified and it’s cultural insensitive, posing a gap and thus significant challenges. Limited or fragmented information can hinder awareness, delay intervention, and perpetuate harmful misconceptions which directly lend into occurrence of abuse⁸.This creates gaps in understanding that hinders reporting, weaken public participation in child protection systems, and reduce the effectiveness of policy responses. As digital platforms increasingly become primary sources of information, there is a growing need to ensure that accessible, accurate, and up-to-date content about child protection is available to the public.

¹ Horst, H. A. (2020). New media technologies in everyday life. In Digital anthropology (pp. 61-79). Routledge.

² Deldari, E., Thakkar, P., & Yao, Y. (2024). Users’ perceptions of online child abuse detection mechanisms. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 8(CSCW1), 1-26.

³ Parton, N. (2017). Comparing child protection systems: Towards a global perspective. In The Routledge handbook of global child welfare (pp. 225-242). Routledge.

⁴ UNICEF, Child Protection: A Shared Responsibility (UNICEF 2023).

⁵ Kemshall, H., & Moulden, H. M. (2016). Communicating about child sexual abuse with the public: learning the lessons from public awareness campaigns. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 23(2), 124–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2016.1222004

⁶ Nigel Parton, The Politics of Child Protection (Palgrave Macmillan 2014).

⁷ Paglia, L. (2018). Child abuse: Awareness is the first step to action. European journal of paediatric dentistry, 19(2), 89-89.

⁸ Paglia, Ibid.

 

Wikipedia, the world’s largest open-access, collaboratively written online encyclopedia relies so much on its user generated content⁹, plays a significant role in shaping public understanding of social issues¹⁰. A large number of individuals such as students, professionals, policymakers, and the general public rely on open-access online encyclopedias like Wikipedia as a starting point to learn about child abuse, yet by their nature, the content provided on such platforms, specifically on Wikipedia is frequently fragmented and lacks comprehensive and verified coverage¹¹.

 

It is suggested that Wikipedia influences how individuals frame social problems and interpret policy debates, particularly when formal knowledge sources are limited¹². As a result, ensuring that Wikipedia’s content on child protection is comprehensive, reliable, and reflective of current realities is essential for promoting informed engagement and strengthening awareness.

 

The experiential learning project undertaken through RIIPEN, in partnership with Kids At Risk Action (KARA), seeks to contribute to this conversation by analyzing and improving Wikipedia content related to child protection and child abuse. This study aims to increase public awareness of child abuse trends and developments in child protective services in Uganda by enhancing the quality and quantity of information available on Wikipedia, while drawing comparative literature snapshots from various jurisdictions across the globe including the United States of America, Europe among others. The project provides an opportunity to combine academic research with practical social impact focusing on four thematic areas: child abuse statistics, illustrative case studies, policy reforms, and the role of child protective services. These themes represent core dimensions of child protection systems and are central to how the public understands both the risks children face and the mechanisms designed to safeguard them. By examining these themes through qualitative and desk-based research, the study aims at identifying knowledge gaps, outdated information, or insufficient coverage within existing Wikipedia articles.

⁹ Anderka, M., Stein, B., & Lipka, N. (2012, August). Predicting quality flaws in user-generated content: the case of wikipedia. In Proceedings of the 35th international ACM SIGIR conference on Research and development in information retrieval (pp. 981-990).

¹⁰ Joseph Reagle, Good Faith Collaboration: The Culture of Wikipedia (MIT Press 2010).

¹¹ Wang, Y., & Zhang, J. (2023). A study on user-oriented subjects of child abuse on Wikipedia: temporal analysis of Wikipedia history versions and traffic data. Journal of medical internet research, 25, e43901.

¹² Ofer Springer, ‘Online Knowledge and Public Understanding of Policy Issues’ (2018) 12 Journal of Information Studies 45.

 

Improving digital knowledge platforms is consistent with broader international advocacy efforts, which emphasize public education as a key strategy for preventing abuse and supporting child welfare systems. The World Health Organization notes that increasing community knowledge and awareness significantly contributes to early detection of abuse and encourages individuals to engage proactively with available protective services.¹³ Enhancing Wikipedia’s content can therefore support the dissemination of credible information and complement institutional child protection initiatives.

 

 

2.0               RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What do the child abuse statistics in East Africa, with a particular emphasis on Uganda, reveal about the prevalence, forms and reporting patterns of child abuse in the region?
2. How effective do the existing child protection policies and services reflect child protection priorities in Uganda.

³ World Health Organization, INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children (WHO 2016).

 

3.0   LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1   Introduction.

This section comprises review of relevant literature. It was organized according to the key issues for investigation. This chapter highlights the relationship between Child abuse and child Protective Services.

• Child abuse

Child abuse has been variously defined by different authors and individual country legislations with some calling it child maltreatment. The World Health Organization (WHO), defined Child maltreatment to include; physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation that can harm or threaten a child’s health, development, or dignity. These acts occur within relationships characterized by responsibility, trust, or power.¹⁴

There has been a great effort by authors to differentiate between abuse and neglect. While abuse has been considered as an act of commission, neglect has been more associated to acts of omission that may expose a child to actual harm. Abuse may be physical or psychological though at times a specific form of abuse like sexual abuse is given special attention due to the overreaching effects it may have on the life of a child. Neglect on the other hand, is the failure by the care giver to perform their obligation in regard to the wellbeing of a minor. It involves the failure to provide adequate, supervision, healthcare, protection from environmental challenges, and failure to provide basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. Neglect may also have an emotional aspect where children are exposed to family violence or substance abuse practices in a given community. In rural areas especially in Africa, failure by caregivers to supply educational requirements to minors is associated to early marriages with all its attendant challenges. According to (Suniega et al., 2022), neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment, substantiated in over half of confirmed cases. The authors indicated that neglect accounts for nearly 3-quarters of child fatalities resulting from maltreatment, including incidents like drowning, home fires, and being left unattended in hot vehicles.¹⁵

 

 

 

¹⁴ Mathews B, Collin-Vézina D. Child Sexual Abuse: Toward a Conceptual Model and Definition. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2019 Apr;20(2):131-148. doi: 10.1177/1524838017738726.

¹⁵ Suniega EA, Krenek L, Stewart G. Child Abuse: Approach and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2022 May 01;105(5):521-528.

 

3.2.1         Forms of child abuse

Child abuse may take various forms¹⁶. What is clear is that for whatever form it may take; the consequences are usually grave and long term. The following are some of the forms of child abuse:

3.2.1.1               Physical abuse

This may include any form coming in contact with the child’s body. This may include actions such as beating, shaking, burning, and biting. It matters not if such contact leaves evidential harm or not. However, given the fragile nature of a minor’s body, such abuse often causes severe harm or even fatalities. In some cultures, corporal punishment may fall in this category.

3.2.1.2               Sexual abuse

This form is physical in nature but due to its notoriety and the negative effects it may have on a minor; it requires special mention. It relates to the “the involvement of developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities that they do not fully comprehend, to which they are unable to give consent, or that violate the social taboos of family roles”.¹⁷ Sexual abuse does not necessarily involve oral, anal, or vaginal penetration. It is a broad term envisaging exposure of the child to sexually explicit materials, oral-genital contact, genital-to-genital contact, genital-to-anal contact, and genital fondling.

In Uganda, sexual abuse is the most prevalent form of child violence. UNICEF reported a 30% rise in rape cases from 7,360 in 2009 to 9,588 in 2013, with girls and children with disabilities being disproportionately affected.¹⁸ The Uganda Police Annual Crime Report (2024) indicated that a total of 12,312 cases of defilement were reported to the Police in 2024, compared to 12,771 cases reported in 2023, resulting in a 3.4% decrease in defilement cases registered nationwide.¹⁹ It further indicated that of the defilement cases reported in 2024, 8,240 cases were Defilement, while 4,072 cases were aggravated defilement by nature. Among the total of 12,317 victims defiled in 2024, 12,009 were female juveniles and 308 were male juveniles.²⁰

Similarly, the 2015 Uganda Violence against Children Survey (VACS) revealed that 35% of females and 17% of males aged 18–24 reported experiencing sexual violence during childhood, while 59% of females and 68% of males reported physical violence (UNICEF, 2015). In Eastern

¹⁶ Higgins, D. J., & McCabe, M. P. (2001). Multiple forms of child abuse and neglect: Adult retrospective reports. Aggression and violent behavior, 6(6), 547-578.

¹⁷ Mathews, supra.

¹⁸ ‘SAUTI 116 Hailed for Protecting the Vulnerable | UNICEF Uganda’

<https://www.unicef.org/uganda/stories/sauti-116-hailed-protecting-vulnerable> accessed 23 October 2025. ¹⁹ Uganda Police Force, ‘Annual Crime Report’ (2024) 49 <https://upf.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ACR2024-Web.pdf>.

²⁰ Ibid

 

and Northeastern Uganda, particularly Karamoja and Sebei regions, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) persists as a harmful cultural practice affecting girls as young as ten years.

3.2.1.3               Psychological or emotional abuse

This involves repeated behavioral patterns that humiliate, demean, or frighten a child, potentially leading to lifelong psychological disorders (Mathews B & Collin-Vézina D, 2019). This form of abuse is often difficult to detect and a bigger percentage of its victims miss out in national statistics.

3.2.2         Child abuse rates and statistics

Child abuse affects individuals of all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The incidence of child abuse varies significantly across countries and regions, likely influenced by cultural, socioeconomic, and reporting differences.

In the United States, it was reported that approximately 4 million child abuse reports are made annually (KARA note; representing 7.8 million) children are reported to the Child Protective Services (CPS) annually due to concerns of abuse or neglect, with evidence of maltreatment confirmed in nearly 20% of cases. Further that, the exact number of occurrences was difficult to determine due to inconsistent reporting and the likely under detection of many instances of maltreatment.21 The United States Preventive Services Task Force reported that an estimated 1570 children died from maltreatment in 2011, with the highest fatality rates among those aged 4 or younger.²² It is not conclusive on whether child abuse is more prevalent in urban areas than in rural areas. What is more certain is that, the incidence of child maltreatment varies by region and state. Some studies report higher rates in rural areas, while others find greater prevalence in urban areas.23 Overall, the child maltreatment incidence tends to be higher in cities among people of color and higher in rural areas among white people.24

Looking at Africa for instance, the situation is not different. Factors such as poverty, limited access to quality healthcare and education, and an increased risk of family instability in marginalized communities may contribute greatly to child abuse incidences. Studies have found that children from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to have their cases substantiated or

²¹ Van Horne BS, Caughy MO, Canfield M, Case AP, Greeley CS, Morgan R, Mitchell LE. First-time maltreatment in children ages 2-10 with and without specific birth defects: A population-based study. Child Abuse Negl. 2018 Oct; 84:53-63.

²² Moyer VA., U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Primary care interventions to prevent child maltreatment: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2013 Aug 20;159(4):289-95.

²³ Yi Y, Edwards F, Emanuel N, Lee H, Leventhal JM, Waldfogel J, Wildeman C. State-Level Variation in the Cumulative Prevalence of Child Welfare System Contact, 2015-2019. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2023 Apr;147

²⁴ Maguire-Jack K, Jespersen B, Korbin JE, Spilsbury JC. Rural Child Maltreatment: A Scoping Literature Review. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2021 Dec;22(5):1316-1325.

 

experience out-of-home placements, raising concerns about potential bias within the reporting and intervention processes.25

3.2.3         Child abuse in Uganda

According to data from Sauti 116²⁶, child neglect remains the leading category of abuse, accounting for approximately 46.5% of reported cases in 2023 via the helpline.27 The report indicated that physical abuse represents 15.2%, sexual abuse 16%, and other forms—including emotional abuse and trafficking—make up 22.3%. While this is true, the Police data shows that the leading form of child abuse is defilement, and this should be the position because more cases of child abuse are reported to the Police rather than via the helpline.

According to Afrobarometer, Uganda ranks highest in the frequency of physical discipline of children, with 45% of respondents reporting frequent use of physical force, compared to 30% in Kenya and 18% in Tanzania.²⁸ The results of the survey further indicated that 43% of Ugandans reported that child abuse and neglect are frequent in their communities, compared to 22% in Kenya and 16% in Tanzania. While about two-thirds of Kenyans and Tanzanians believe that abused children can access help, fewer than half of Ugandans (47%) share this confidence. These findings highlight Uganda’s relative vulnerability in addressing child maltreatment.

3.3         Child Protective Services

Child Protective Services (CPS) refers to government agencies in the United States that investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect, and if confirmed, intervene by providing services to the family through a safety plan, in-home monitoring, supervision, or if a safety plan is not feasible or in emergencies, removing the child from the custody of their parent or legal guardian. UNICEF defined child protection systems as “certain formal and informal structures, functions and capacities that have been assembled to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children”.²⁹

 

²⁵ Edwards F, Wakefield S, Healy K, Wildeman C. Contact with Child Protective Services is pervasive but unequally distributed by race and ethnicity in large US counties. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 Jul 27;118(30).

²⁶ Sauti 116. (2025, November). Retrieved from Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Web site: https://sauti.mglsd.go.ug/sauti/

²⁷ UNICEF, supra n.9.

²⁸ Rosemary Nakijoba, ‘Is East Africa Doing Enough? Citizens’ Views Point to Shortcomings in Child Protection in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania’ (Afrobarometer 2025) Survey 968 2 <https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AD968-Citizen-assessments-point-to-shortcomings-in-child-protection-in-East-Africa-Afrobarometer-1april25.pdf>.

²⁹ Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change Unicef – 2013

– United Nations Children’s Fund

 

Wessells looked at it from the component perspective and indicated that the primary components of child protection systems include laws and policies, human and financial resources, governance, means of data collection and system monitoring, child protection and response services, and non-formal supports of families and communities.³⁰ It therefore follows that that Child Protective System can take any form in as far as it strives to protect the welfare of Children.

These government agencies and non-governmental organizations face enormous challenges related to perceptions towards some forms of child abuse. Kostelny et al., (2014) cited in (Muchabaiwa, B. L., 2024) documents that in Wajir County, Kenya, 98% of communities practice FGM because they view it as a vital rite in a woman’s life course.³¹ In congruence, Muchabaiwa (2024) documents the perspective of a political respondent who, when questioned about FGM, stated: “This practice which you condemn as violence against women and children, is an integral part of our society and religion. This has been done for generations. Why should the government start a war against its people against its values and beliefs?”³²

Child marriage, corporal punishment, and child labour persist in some communities despite existing legal frameworks and national strategies, many of which local and international child rights organizations helped develop.³³ Communities continue these practices because socio-cultural norms, beliefs, and economic pressures shape family decisions. Muchabaiwa (2024) documents that socially, some communities promote child marriage to “protect girls from pre-marital sex, unwanted pregnancy and shame,” as stated in a face-to-face interview with a representative of a civil society organization in Nairobi on 24 January 2019.³⁴ Relatedly, families marry off their children to gain bride price cattle, goats, or cash offered during marriage ceremonies.³⁵

 

 

 

 

 

³⁰ Wessells, M. G. (2015). Bottom-up approaches to strengthening child protection systems: Placing children, families, and communities at the center. Child Abuse & Neglect, 43, 8–21.

³¹ Muchabaiwa, B. L. (2024). Why is child protection in many African countries perennially underfunded? A political economy perspective. Child Protection and Practice, 2, 100044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chipro.2024.100044

³² Ibid

³³ Wessells, Supra n.15.

³⁴ Muchambaiwa, Supra n.16.

³⁵ Kostelny, K., Wessells, M., & Ondoro, K. (2014). Community based child protection mechanisms in kilifi, Kenya: A rapid ethnographic study in two rural sites [study report]. London, Inter-Agency Learning Initiative on Community-Based Child Protection Mechanisms and Child Protection Systems.

 

4.0               METHODOLOGY

The study adopted a qualitative, desk-based research design aimed at analyzing the accuracy, completeness and relevance of child protection information. The methodology was structured to ensure a systematic and comprehensive review of existing literature, policy documents, legislation and statistical reports.

4.1               Research Design

The study used qualitative content analysis which is appropriate for examining written information and identifying patterns. This design captures the depth of existing gaps in Wikipedia articles/content on child abuse and protection. The design allowed the research team to interpret meaning from texts and Wikipedia articles related to child abuse, policy frameworks and child protection services.

4.2               Data Collection Methods and Sources

Data was collected from Secondary sources such as UNICEF, WHO Publications, Government Policy documents, Legislation such as the Children Act, child protection guidelines and national reports, NGO reports including those from KARA and existing Wikipedia entries on child protection topics.

4.3               Data analysis

The Study employed thematic analysis which involved identifying recurring themes such as the prevalence of child abuse, policy effectiveness and functionality of child protection services.

 

5.0               FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

5.1               Introduction

This section presents the findings on Enhancing Child Protection Awareness on Wikipedia: A Research-Based Approach to Expanding and Improving Information on Child Abuse, Policy and Protective Services. The results are summarized based on an overview of laws, policies and the practice in Uganda’s context and comparative snapshots of other jurisdictions. It also highlights the existing gaps and hints on some stakeholder perspectives on Child protection systems and services.

5.2               Overview of Findings

The investigation found that, despite sustained international commitment to child protection and continuous reform of legal and policy frameworks, there is a disconnect between the law, policy and practice³⁶ and it remains significant across most jurisdictions. High-income countries such as the USA and most West European countries exhibit sophisticated prevention and monitoring systems, while low-income nations, such as Uganda and indeed most African countries, continue to grapple with limited enforcement, weak coordination, socio-cultural resistance and “fragmented digitization of child protection functions³⁷”. While the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development spearheads the policy function in child protection services in Uganda, other stakeholders who are the implementers such as the Uganda Police Force, lack adequate capacity and resources to match reformative policy and legal efforts.

The study emphasizes that the strength of a child protection system is determined not merely by the presence of legislation but by institutional capacity, cultural adaptability, and survivor-centered engagement. Systems integrating data-driven interventions and independent oversight tend to deliver more consistent protection outcomes. Studies also reveal that knowledge about causes of recurrence and strategies to minimize it remains limited³⁸, therefore a need to bridge the knowledge gap through research.

5.3               Comparative Legal and Policy Analysis

Child protection frameworks across jurisdictions have continually been developed in recent years to deal with emerging risks, especially abuse, exploitation, and neglect in both physical and digital spaces. Whereas high-income jurisdictions like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada show robust institutional capacity and more sustained funding, there are still disparities in implementation. Uganda’s context provides a particularly insightful example of how

 

 

³⁶ Schelbe, L., Wilson, D. L., Fickler, W., Williams-Mbengue, N., & Klika, J. B. (2020). Bridging the gaps among research, policy, and practice in the field of child maltreatment through cross-sector training and

innovation. International journal on child maltreatment: research, policy and practice, 3(3), 293-305.

³⁷ Baguma, R. (2024, October). Towards Integration and Data Sharing to Enhance Child Protection in Uganda. In Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (pp. 414-424).

³⁸ Jenkins, B. Q., Tilbury, C., Mazerolle, P., & Hayes, H. (2017). The complexity of child protection recurrence: The case for a systems approach. Child Abuse & Neglect, 63, 162-171.

 

developing countries navigate through legal and cultural complexities in order to make their child protection systems stronger.

In Uganda, the Children Act, Cap 62 forms the backbone of the Country’s National Child Protection Framework, accordingly aligning with international conventions such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child is necessary. This law extends the definition of a child to a person who needs care and protection, increases penalties for child abuse, and expands the concept of family and community-based care instead of institutionalization. Further, Ugandan commitment is complemented by such acts as the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, Cap 133 and Domestic Violence Act, Cap 123 which show legislation aimed at safeguarding children against gender-based and domestic abuse.

A distinct strength of Uganda’s framework has been its comprehensive and inclusive approach, integrating protection mechanisms at the level of legal, social, and community systems. The recent roll-out of the National Child Helpline (Sauti 116)³⁹ serves as an important route for direct reporting and rapid response mobilization despite its limited capacity. Further, Uganda’s increased engagement with international partners and non-state actors at both the national and district levels has contributed to widening public awareness and enhancing policy coordination.

Nevertheless, enforcement remains a challenge with weak institutional capacity⁴⁰, inadequate funding, and lack of coordination among implementing agencies are common reasons for undermining policy effectiveness. Cultural resistance, especially with regard to gender norms, child marriage, and corporal punishment, persists in the way of progress, particularly at the rural level. Reporting rates are low due to stigma, fear of reprisal, and limited confidence in the justice system.

Compared to the high-income jurisdictions, like the United States, that have strict prevention and monitoring systems under laws such as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)⁴¹ and Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)⁴², Uganda’s child protection mechanisms are still developing. Mandatory child removal in cases of physical abuse is limited due to lack of Government Established Child Protection Institutions. The few existing children’s home are either faith based, individually founded or voluntary. Other countries, like the United Kingdom and Australia, have moved toward advanced institutional reforms with national child safety standards, but Uganda’s model focuses on community-centered resilience and legal pluralism, balancing statutory and customary approaches.

 

³⁹ Sauti 116. (2025, November). Retrieved from Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Web site: https://sauti.mglsd.go.ug/sauti/

⁴⁰ Renzaho, A. M. N., Kamara, J. K., Stout, B., & Kamanga, G. (2017). Child rights and protection in slum settlements of Kampala, Uganda: A qualitative study. Journal of Human Rights, 17(3), 303–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/14754835.2017.1362548

⁴¹ Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) 42 USC 5101 et seq

⁴² Family First Prevention Services Act (P.L. 115-123) (US

 

In summary, Uganda has a legal and policy framework that indicates tremendous progress in the protection of children, but glaring implementation gaps persist due to systemic, financial, and socio-cultural limitations. Reinforcing enforcement mechanisms, embracing enlarged budget allocations, and promoting community-led awareness and prevention programs are key to translating Uganda’s legal commitments into actual protection for all children. Nonetheless, despite the differences in laws, practices, and interpretations among nations, there are some crosscutting trends of efforts towards realizing child protection⁴³.

• Identified Gaps

The study identified several gaps in the child protection system in Uganda and they included:

5.4.1                     Institutional fragmentation

One of the primary challenges in Uganda’s child protection system is institutional fragmentation. Coordination among justice, social welfare, and health agencies is often weak, leading to duplication of efforts and significant gaps in service delivery. Yiga⁴⁴ notes that although Uganda has ratified key child rights instruments, the system remains fragile and incoherent, particularly at the operational level. This lack of cohesive collaboration undermines the effectiveness of interventions and delays timely responses to cases of abuse and neglect.

5.4.2                     Cultural resistance

Another critical gap is cultural resistance. Despite the criminalization of harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, deeply entrenched traditional norms continue to perpetuate these practices. Mujuzi’s study⁴⁵ reveals that the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2010), while symbolically significant, faces substantial enforcement challenges due to cultural tolerance and cross-border practices. Communities may resist reporting violations or complying with statutory interventions, which limits the practical impact of legal reforms (Ibid).

5.4.3                     Data deficiency

Data deficiency hampers the child protection system. Inadequate and poorly managed data systems make it difficult to track cases, monitor trends, and implement evidence-based interventions. Walugembe et al. (2018) found that in rural Uganda, while child protection indicators improved over time, the absence of accurate household-level data severely constrained both monitoring and resource allocation. This absence of reliable information constrains policymakers’ ability to allocate resources efficiently and evaluate the effectiveness of programs.

 

 

⁴³ Bunting, L., McCartan, C., McGhee, J., Bywaters, P., Daniel, B., Featherstone, B., & Slater, T. (2018). Trends in child protection across the UK: A comparative analysis. British Journal of Social Work, 48(5), 1154-1175.

⁴⁴ Yiga, D. ‘Child Protection Systems in Uganda’, 2023.

⁴⁵ Mujuzi, J. D. ‘Female Genital Mutilation in Uganda: A Glimpse at the Abolition Process’, 2012, Journal of African Law, 56(1), pp. 139-150.

 

5.4.4                     Limited capacity and funding

Limited capacity and funding also present significant obstacles. Many agencies lack a sufficient number of trained social workers and other child protection professionals. Driscoll (2020) reports that in rural Uganda, para-social worker models show promise but also highlight the resource and supervisory constraints that limit their effectiveness in a low-resource context. Coupled with restricted budgets, this shortage of skilled personnel undermines service quality and reach, leaving vulnerable children at risk.

5.4.5                     Weak survivor engagement

Finally, weak survivor engagement reduces the legitimacy and responsiveness of policies. Survivors’ perspectives are often excluded from the design and implementation of child protection measures. Without their input, interventions may fail to address the real needs of children and communities, limiting both their relevance and effectiveness.

5.4.6                     Lack of protective confidential reporting systems

The fact that violence against children is perpetrated by peers and close relatives or loved ones makes it very difficult for victims or whistleblowers to report such cases for fear of being victimized either in the social circles or from the family. For instance, 25% of girls and 11% of boys aged 13-17 reported sexual violence in 2017 in Uganda⁴⁶. Such age groups normally have nowhere to run to. Some of them are school going and reporting such cases threatens their studies and general well-being and could end up dropping from school.

5.5               Positive Developments and Emerging Best Practices in Uganda

Despite persistent challenges in Uganda’s child protection landscape, recent years have witnessed notable positive developments and emerging best practices such as child protection information systems⁴⁷, creation of databases among others that offer promise for reform and improved outcomes. Another key advancement has been the strengthening of institutional policies and procedures around child rights protection at the municipal and district levels. A study in Mityana Municipality in Mityana District⁴⁸ found that stakeholders perceived institutional policies and frameworks positively, with correlations showing policy clarity and procedural implementation significantly associated with improved child-rights outcomes. This suggests that clearer policy architecture and procedural reform are contributing to more responsive protection systems.

Another promising practice relates to the engagement of faith and community actors in child protection. For instance, the development of the Faith Community Child Protection Scale in Uganda (and other countries) illustrates how faith-based networks can be systematically mobilized to enhance protective environments for children by aligning local belief systems with rights-based

⁴⁶ Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development. (2018). Violence against children survey 2018. Kampala: Government of Uganda

⁴⁷ Baguma, R. (2024, October), supra

⁴⁸ Rogers Barigayomwe and Lillian Asiimwe, ‘Institutional Policies and Procedures on Child Rights Protection in Uganda. A Study of Mityana Municipality’ (2025) 8(1) International Journal of Social Science and Human Research 531–39.

 

approaches.⁴⁹ The integration of faith communities into formal protection systems acknowledges the sociocultural context and leverages local normative structures in support of children’s wellbeing.

In rural settings, longitudinal research underscores the value of integrating child protection responses with household vulnerability frameworks. A multi-year study of vulnerable households in rural Uganda found improvements in child-protection indicators over time, when child-rights activities were embedded in broader efforts to reduce household vulnerability⁵⁰. This approach linking protection services to socio-economic supports – presents a holistic model of best practice where child welfare is addressed in tandem with family and community resilience.

Additionally, there has been progress in establishing accessible reporting mechanisms and community-linked interventions. For example, programmes led by international partners and national agencies have worked to embed child-friendly services across health, education, and justice sectors, consistent with recommendations by UNICEF Uganda⁵¹. These services reflect the principle of multisectoral integration and mark a shift toward more inclusive, locally anchored protection strategies.

Collectively, these developments point toward an evolving best-practice paradigm in Uganda: one that emphasizes policy clarity, community and faith-actor engagement, linkages between protection and socio-economic support, and integrated service delivery. While implementation remains uneven especially in remote districts, they provide concrete models that can be scaled, refined, and embedded into national systems to bolster protection outcomes for children.

5.6               Conclusion

The findings of this study underscore that, whereas Uganda has made commendable progress in putting in place a rather complete legal and policy framework for child protection, substantial gaps remain in how these measures are effectively implemented and enforced. While the Children Act, Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, and the Domestic Violence Act provide a very strong statutory framework, institutional fragmentation, limited capacity, cultural resistance, and weak data systems continue to undermine service delivery and protection outcomes⁵².

Despite these, there are emerging best practices, especially the establishment of the Sauti 116 National Helpline and community-based reporting mechanisms, which reflect promising efforts to ensure that survivor-centered approaches are strengthened and protection services are made more accessible. From a comparative analytical perspective with other jurisdictions, while Uganda lags

 

 

⁴⁹ Ruth Ager et al, ‘Development of the Faith Community Child Protection Scale with Faith Leaders and their Spouses in Senegal, Uganda and Guatemala’ (2023) 62 Journal of Religion and Health 2196–2212.

⁵⁰ Patrick Walugembe et al, ‘Child Protection and Household Vulnerability: A Longitudinal Analysis of Child Rights and Protection amongst vulnerable households and their families in Rural Uganda’ (2018) 5(1) Canadian Journal of Children’s Rights 254–72.

⁵¹ UNICEF Uganda, ‘Child Protection’ (2024) https://www.unicef.org/uganda/what-we-do/child-protection accessed 9 November 2025.

⁵² Baguma, R. (2024, October), supra

 

behind in institutional coordination and enforcement, it has made strides in integrating culturally sensitive interventions and community engagement into its child protection strategies.

Overall, the study emphasizes that sustainable capacity building, better interagency coordination, and more effective survivor engagement are all critical to ensuring that legislative reforms translate into meaningful protection outcomes for children. Closing these gaps will call for further investment in social services, data-informed monitoring, and community awareness, together with efforts to challenge harmful cultural norms and practices.