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A 20-year-old barmaid, Babirye Sumaya, is set to face charges of Aggravated Trafficking in Children at the Wakiso Magistrate Court today, December 11, 2024.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police, Babirye allegedly abducted an 8-year-old pupil, Nakiwala Goreti, from her home in Ssazi Lulongo Cell on November 16, 2024. The suspect reportedly lured the child under the pretext of taking her for prayers at Kikaaya Mosque but instead directed a boda-boda rider to transport them to Mpigi Town.
After a two-week search, detectives from Entebbe Central Police Station and Jinja Road Police found Babirye in Ssembabule District with two children. Upon realizing she was being pursued, the suspect fled but was later apprehended in Mutungo, Kampala. At the time of her arrest, Babirye was found with the victim and another child.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police have thanked the public for their vigilance and cooperation in providing information that led to the recovery of the victim and the arrest of the suspect. The charges against Babirye carry severe penalties due to the gravity of the offense, which involves trafficking for purposes of human sacrifice.
Human Trafficking case in Uganda
The 2023 Annual National Report on Countering Trafficking in Persons in Uganda shows a 16.6% decrease in reported trafficking cases, from 1,200 in 2022 to 1,006 in 2023. Child trafficking cases were the highest, accounting for 50.69% of the total cases, with most victims being domestically abused for sex and labor exploitation ¹.
The report suggests that the drop in cases could be due to either a reduction in actual cases or underreporting. Of the 1,006 cases, 576 were submitted to the Directorate of Public Prosecution, and 331 cases were taken to court, resulting in 11 convictions.
Uganda is a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking, with victims being trafficked within the country and abroad. The report highlights the need for increased public awareness, sensitization campaigns, and capacity building for stakeholders to combat trafficking ¹.
Challenges of Prosecuting Traffickers
Some of the challenges in prosecuting trafficking cases include lack of specialized training, inadequate victim protection mechanisms, and difficulties in extradition of perpetrators. To address these challenges, the report recommends strengthening coordination among stakeholders, improving data management, and enhancing regional cooperation on migration management ¹.
The government has identified foreign victims from neighbouring countries, including Burundi, Eritrea, Rwanda, Kenya, and South Sudan. Cuban and North Korean nationals working in Uganda may also be subjected to forced labo
