The Government of Uganda has issued a strong warning to social media content creators against exploiting children in online content, stressing that violations of minors’ rights and dignity will attract legal action under existing child protection and data privacy laws.
In a statement, the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, condemned the use of children in degrading online videos without consent, describing the practice as both illegal and unacceptable.
The warning follows concerns raised by Betty Nambooze and children’s rights advocates over the increasing exploitation of minors on digital platforms.
According to the ministry, some reviewed content shows disturbing incidents in which children are humiliated or coerced into degrading situations in exchange for food or money—actions the minister says violate their dignity and fundamental rights.
Content creators, including Anthony Katongole, have been specifically cautioned to immediately stop producing material that involves harassment or exploitation of children.
Minister Barugahara emphasised that such conduct contravenes the Children Act and the Data Protection and Privacy Act. He added that enforcement agencies are now closely monitoring online activity, warning that continued violations could lead to criminal prosecution.
The directive is part of broader efforts to safeguard children’s rights in digital spaces as social media usage continues to rise across Uganda.
