By The government has called for vigilance among parents and guardians following a surge in human trafficking cases across the country.
In 2009, Uganda passed the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, which criminalizes human trafficking and provides for the protection of victims.
The government has also established several programs to raise awareness of human trafficking and to provide assistance to victims.
Speaking to journalists today Basalirwa Kigenyi Media’s Deputy National Coordinator for the Prevention of Human Trafficking in the Ministry of Internal Affairs said there is an upsurge in child trafficking and urged parents and guardians to keep extra vigilance on the security of their children.
According to Basalirwa, in an operation by the security team and the deputy RDC in Bukomansmbi district, Muhamad Walugembe, and others were arrested for allegedly fraudulently perpetuating over 200 individuals.
He therefore argued the public to be vigilant when dealing with some government officials who don’t identify themselves and also conduct business beyond the gazetted working hours.
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.
