By The National Coordination Office for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons has called upon stakeholders in the education sector notably the school heads to work closely with the police to curb child trafficking vice that is rampant especially as schools open for the first term.
Addressing the media at the police headquarters, Derrick Basalirwa Kigenyi, the deputy national coordinator for trafficking in persons urged parents and guardians to also be cautious and work closely with the transporters of their children while going to school.
According to Derek Basarwa Kigenyi, as of February 1st, 2024, a total of 211 convictions relating to human trafficking had been secured from 86 cases reported. The convictions involved over 940 suspects and 1562 victims affected by the activities of the traffickers in these cases.
Kigenyi says the above figures indicate great strides towards the fight against human trafficking in Uganda.
It is against this backdrop that he has called for vigilance from stakeholders in the education sector to end this vice in schools. Kigenyi acknowledges the need for a collaborative approach, especially for the parents and the transporter of their children.
According to reports Traffickers target university graduates with the promise of high-paying jobs abroad, Kigenyi cautions graduates to be cautious in their quest for jobs.
Relatably, 83 children were rescued by Police in the Mayuge district. According to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, 43 girls and 40 boys were found confined by an unregistered NGO for reasons that are yet to be revealed.
In 2022, the government reported investigating 1,200 incidents of human trafficking, a significant increase compared with 421 incidents in 2021. Of the 1,200 reported incidents of human trafficking, at least 526 involved exploitation in Uganda, and at least 63 involved exploitation abroad the remaining incidents involved unspecified forms of trafficking.
