State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has issued a stern warning to individuals accused of exploiting children for social media content, saying the government will not tolerate acts that violate the rights and dignity of minors.
In a statement released on Thursday, Balaam said his office had received complaints from leaders and concerned members of the public regarding online content creators allegedly using children in degrading or exploitative skits and videos for online popularity and financial gain.
The minister specifically warned individuals operating under the names “Chicken Chicken” and “Chuni,” along with others engaged in similar activities, to immediately stop the practice.
According to Balaam, investigations and complaints indicate that some children are being used in content production without proper consent and are allegedly subjected to humiliation, coercion and degrading treatment for entertainment purposes.
He said such conduct contravenes several Ugandan laws designed to protect children, including the Children Act, the Computer Misuse Act and the Data Protection and Privacy Act.
The minister warned that individuals found culpable could face criminal prosecution, including fines and possible imprisonment.
Balaam stressed that children must be protected from abuse and exploitation both offline and online, adding that content creators have a responsibility to uphold the dignity, safety and rights of minors.
He described the warning as a final notice to those involved and urged all social media users to comply with the law when creating or sharing content involving children. “Exploitation of minors for views or personal gain will not be tolerated,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing concern over the increasing use of children in viral online videos and livestreams, with critics raising questions about consent, privacy and child protection in Uganda’s rapidly expanding digital content industry.
