ACP Nabakka S. Claire the Deputy spokesperson of the Uganda Police has cautioned the general public to remain vigilant and report strangers in their communities as this will help to reduce cases of trafficking in the country.
Nabakka made these remarks while addressing journalists about the case of alleged trafficking of Burundian nationals registered in late December 2022 at the Police headquarters on Monday.
According to Nabakka, traffic officers on December 29th at Katanga check point in Kayabwe town council Mpigi district impounded a taxi Registration number UBM 711K on charges of carrying excess passengers that included amongst others 24 Burundian nationals and 2 Ugandans.
“Through our investigations, we were able to establish that the 24 Burundians came from different villages and provinces in Burundi for casual work in Uganda” she highlighted.
The Police deputy mouthpiece also added that these paid 300,000 Mafaranga to Iteka service and Platinum bus which they boarded in different intervals from Burundi via Tanzania and this payment was specifically from Ngoli to Kampala.
In the latest Uganda Police Annual Crime Report that was released in 2022, a total of 421 cases were registered in 2021 compared to 214 cases registered in 2020 indicating a 46.7% increase in trafficking.
The report further highlighted that 1,149persons were victims of trafficking in persons in 2021 compared to 666 victims recorded in 2020.
Police also highlighted that due to the fear of being arrested by their security officers at Mutukula boarder, these boarded off from the bus about 3km to the boarder and passed through ‘panya’ routes to a tree plantation near the boarder where they were connected to the operators of the Ugandan taxi which was to drive them to Wakiso – Kampala.
“These are brought in as casual workers, when they come, they are employed as bar attendants or waitresses, dancers for karaoke, sex workers etc” Nabakka noted.
On this note, Police confirmed the arrest of the 2 Ugandans Katamba Yasin a resident of Mukungwe sub county Masaka district and Ssali Haruna a resident of Mutukula town council. Police added that these will be charged with trafficking in persons which is under section 3(a) and 4 of the prevention of trafficking in persons Act.
Police also thanked their officers and the general public for their timely intervention after reporting an incident of an illegal entry in Laguti Sub County in Pader district.
Jackson Nyomuro a Burundian national aged 18 years was on December 30th loitering in their village and out of suspicion Adokorach Magret the chairperson with the help of residents took him to Loguti Police Post for further management.
Police also reechoed its commitment to save the general public plus their property and they pledged to continue focusing on community policing initiatives that are in line with their mission statement.
