Police in Kampala Metropolitan North and Nansana Division have raided a home of suspected human traffickers that were illegally sheltering 131 people, under the guise of preparing them for jobs in the Middle East.

In a police statement released on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, by SCP Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, two suspects have been arrested for allegedly trafficking in persons.

Police identified the suspects as Rashida Namubiru and Ramathan Hakim, a trainer.

“The duo was conducting trainings and inducting 131 persons under the guise of preparing them for the labour market in the Middle East, in a home not registered or licenced to operate,” Enanga said.

Information gathered by police indicates that, Musa Suna who was running a training centre under the name WORLD GATE without a license and registration of the side premises, had gathered 131 people after enrolling them through different agents.

Police said that Suna was conducting basic training in catering and cleaning of houses, in preparation for the job market in the Middle East.

Police further revealed that the victims’ phones had been removed and forbidden from contacting the outside world, adding that, they had   spent several months training and confined in a fenced home in Nansana. However, on July 07, 2023, the victims were transferred to Arkright cell where they were recovered from the home of Mary Nantongo.

Enanga added that, the eight companies that handed over recruited victims include, Cornel Recruitment Co, Janulani-Kalerwe, Swift in Wakalinga, Masaba located in Kawempe (Kutano), Trinity Travel Agency located in Nkrumah (Makayi Plaza), Herbrah International located in Bukoto, Wamba Recruitment Agency and Labaf Solution located in Minister’s Village in Ntinda.

“As the Joint security agencies, we are committed to doing everything within our means, to combat the dangerous and exploitative crime of Human Trafficking, that devastates survivors and their families,” Enanga noted.

“Police is making all efforts to identify and locate all the other perpetrators of the human trafficking racket still at large, and ensure they are arraigned before the courts of law,” Enanga added.

Police applauded the community for their level of vigilance, which enabled the task teams in Kajjansi to raid the hub to rescue the victims and handed them over to their families.