The COVID-19 pandemic and school closures have exacerbated child labour in Uganda's agriculture sector, particularly in tea plantations. Children are working long hours alongside their parents, with some hoping for permanent positions as they grow older. Despite laws against child employment under age 12, a report indicates that 26% of children in Hoima district are engaged in hazardous work. Local leaders struggle to combat child labour, which leads to loss of interest in education and the adoption of harmful behaviors among children. President Museveni's National Action Plan aims to eliminate child labour, and the International Labour Organisation's ACCEL AFRICA project targets child labour in supply chains. The Uganda National Household Survey reports a 28% increase in child labour incidences due to the pandemic's impact on income and livelihoods.

The mining boom in Uganda's Karamoja region has led to job creation but also environmental degradation, rights violations, and land grabbing, affecting the indigenous Karamojong people. Deadly clashes and displacement are increasing, with locals facing health issues due to contaminated water. Companies like Sunbelt and DAO Marble Africa Limited are under scrutiny for their land acquisition practices. The Karamoja Miners Association is working to protect miners' rights, while the government is investigating incidents and drafting new mining laws to address these challenges.

The article discusses the hazardous conditions faced by artisanal gold miners in Uganda, particularly in Mubende, central Uganda. Rose Namukasa, a miner and single mother, is highlighted as she works without protective gear, exposing herself to mercury poisoning. The Ugandan government, through Minister Sarah Opendi Achieng, has warned that licenses will be revoked for miners using mercury. The Water Governance Institute's report indicates mercury levels in the area are dangerously high, exceeding WHO safe limits. Symptoms of mercury poisoning are prevalent among miners, yet there is no bio-monitoring or adequate medical diagnosis for these ailments in Uganda. The article also touches on the broader economic context, including a Belgium-based refinery's investment and the potential for commercial mineral development. The upcoming mining and minerals bill 2019 aims to address these issues, but progress has been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.