Summary:
- Rwizi region Police spokesperson, SP Samson Kasasira, confirmed the arrests and explained that the suspects lured the victims to Mbarara City, charging fees ranging from 120,000 to 1.5 million shillings.
MBARARA: Police in Mbarara City’s Central Division have arrested 12 suspects and opened an inquiry into multiple cases of human trafficking involving 63 victims aged between 17 and 30 years.
The victims were lured under the false promise of employment opportunities from districts as far as Arua.
Rwizi region Police spokesperson, SP Samson Kasasira, confirmed the arrests and explained that the suspects lured the victims to Mbarara City, charging fees ranging from 120,000 to 1.5 million shillings.
“The suspects claimed they would help the victims secure employment”. He said.
Kasasira further revealed that the suspects, who are linked to an unidentified company, confined the victims in rooms in Kisenyi and Rwentondo cells, both in Kakoba Division.
He added “The victims were then coerced into recruiting others to join the company. By the time the victims were rescued, they had been held in confinement for periods ranging from one day to over 60 days”.
He revealed that the suspects are currently in police custody, awaiting prosecution.
He confirmed that Police is also collaborating with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to ensure the victims are safely reunited with their families.
“Inquiries into the matter are ongoing,” Kasasira added.
