KAMPALA – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched the DIGICHILD Index, a groundbreaking tool designed to map child labor risk in Uganda. This innovative approach uses Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to identify communities most vulnerable to child labor in agriculture.
Globally, an estimated 160 million children are engaged in labor, with 70% working in agriculture. Uganda is no exception, with child labor rates increasing from 14% in 2016/17 to 39.5% (6.2 million children) in 2021. Despite existing policies and action plans, the lack of detailed data has hindered targeted interventions.
“The DIGICHILD Index is a game-changer in our efforts to combat child labor in Uganda,” said Dr. Antonio Querido, FAO Representative in Uganda. “By providing detailed maps of child labor risk, we can empower policymakers to take informed and proactive measures to prevent child labor.”
The DIGICHILD Index assesses child labor risk using indicators such as poverty, food insecurity, school accessibility, and climate-related factors. These indicators are based on FAO’s Framework on Ending Child Labour in Agriculture and insights from the FAO-Wageningen University (WUR) 2023 Design Paper.
From May 2024 to February 2025, FAO implemented a pilot phase of the DIGICHILD Index in Uganda, focusing on coffee, sugarcane, and livestock sectors. The Index generates detailed maps, enabling policymakers to take informed and proactive measures.
“The DIGICHILD Index has the potential to revolutionize our approach to combating child labor,” said Bernard Amuriat, Assistant Commissioner for Labour Inspectorate at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. “By providing us with accurate and actionable data, we can develop targeted interventions that make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children.”
The success of the DIGICHILD Index relies on collaboration and strong engagement from national actors. By integrating this approach into existing child labor monitoring frameworks, Uganda can enhance its efforts to combat child labor with precision and impact.
“Establishing a multi-stakeholder and cross-sectoral governance mechanism is key for the real-time update and long-term success of DIGICHILD,” said Dr. Querido. “Its impact depends on the collective expertise of all stakeholders engaged in the validation workshop.”
The DIGICHILD Index is designed to provide decision-makers with cost-effective, high-resolution, and time-efficient data. Its predictive capabilities enable proactive prevention of child labor, supporting private sector efforts to enhance transparency in supply chains.
“We believe that the DIGICHILD Index will be a valuable tool in our efforts to combat child labor in Uganda,” said Amuriat. “We look forward to working with FAO and other stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation and impact.”
