HUYE DISTRICT CALLS ON FAMILIES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN ADDRESSING THE GROWING NUMBER OF STREET CHILDREN

Authorities in Huye District have urged families to fully embrace their responsibility to raise and protect children as part of ongoing efforts to address the persistent problem of street children in the district.

In Huye Town and its surrounding areas, an increasing number of young children can be seen roaming the streets, surviving through begging and, in some cases, petty theft. Many of these children spend their nights under bridges or in other unsafe locations, a situation that clearly reflects the harsh and vulnerable conditions in which they live.

Although the Huye District administration has long been working with various partners to combat the problem of street children efforts that previously yielded positive results local leaders say the situation has recently taken a worrying turn. Reports indicate that some parents are now directly involved in sending their children to the streets to beg, while others even accompany them, according to testimonies from residents interviewed by Top Africa News.

Residents have expressed deep concern over what they describe as a growing culture of neglect within some families.

Claudine Mukamana, a resident of Ngoma Sector, said it is painful to witness parents abandoning their responsibilities:
“It is heartbreaking to see a young child begging on the street while the parent sits nearby watching. Instead of taking children to school, some parents are turning them into a source of income,” she said.

Another resident, Jean Paul Habimana, believes that family breakdown is at the core of the issue: “Most of these children actually have parents, but they are neglected. When a child grows up without care or guidance, the street becomes their only option, which puts both their future and public safety at risk,” he explained.

Huye District Mayor Ange Sebutege acknowledged that the issue of street children remains a daily challenge for the local administration. He emphasized that while authorities continue to work closely with different stakeholders, families must play a central role in providing a lasting solution. “We confront the issue of street children on a daily basis. However, the family is the foundation of any sustainable solution. Parents must understand that raising, guiding, and protecting their children is not optional it is their primary responsibility,” Mayor Sebutege stated.

Authorities have identified several factors contributing to the rise in the number of street children, including domestic conflicts, lack of parental care, extreme poverty, and poor parenting practices. Community members and local leaders agree that addressing these root causes requires strong collaboration among families, local authorities, social services, and the wider community.

The Huye District administration is therefore calling on all citizens to actively participate in preventing child neglect by reporting cases of abuse or exploitation and by supporting initiatives aimed at child protection. Leaders insist that safeguarding children’s rights is essential not only for their individual futures but also for building a safe, stable, and sustainable society.