Children are working on church-owned land in Kabale, in south west Uganda, according to allegations made to the BBC by a nurse with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in Uganda.
Alex Turyaritunga, who is a former child-soldier, alleged that children as young as 10 are working on a tea plantation, from which the Catholic Church is profiting.
In a subsequent investigation, the BBC was told that the land is owned by the Catholic Church, which has been in business with Kigezi Highland Tea Limited since 2013.
Fifteen children were found to be working on the plantation. Their pay ranged between 1,000 Uganda Shillings (20p) and 2,000 Ugandan Shillings per day.
Bishop Callistus Rubaramira of the Catholic diocese of Kabale has not been available to comment. His secretary, Fr Lucien, denied child labour was taking place on the land.
Pope Francis’ press secretary, Fr Federico Lombardi S.J., told the BBC: "If there is problem for the local Church, I am not responsible for that."
During the Pope’s visit to Africa in November, last year, which included time in Kampala, Uganda, he said that children were some of the greatest victims of Africa’s historical exploitation by other powers.
The UN estimates that there are three million child workers in Uganda. The latest figures estimate that nearly one third of children aged between five and 14 are engaged in child labour, despite 14 being the earliest legal age for a child to work.
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