Mbarara City Security Committee has confirmed that 288 victims rescued from a human trafficking racket linked to Aim Global last week have been reunited with their families. The victims were trafficked from Northern and Eastern Uganda, while others were reportedly brought in from South Sudan.
The confirmation was made last night as security officers paraded another 22 victims rescued from Kakoba-Alliance, and a further 30 from Biafra in Mbarara City South Division, bringing the total number of rescued persons to 310. Kenneth Gumisiriza Kabwingo, the Mbarara City Division Police Commander, said security teams used information provided by the victims to coordinate with counterparts in other areas and facilitate their reunification with families.He cautioned parents and guardians against being misled by promises of employment without formal application procedures.
Kabwingo also noted that some of the rescued victims were children below the age of 16, who, under the Employment Act, are not permitted to work. He warned that landlords found accommodating such individuals again would face charges.
Catherine Kamwine, Chairperson of the Mbarara City Security Committee and Resident City Commissioner, said investigations are ongoing to identify individuals behind the trafficking network involving young people. She added that some of the victims are reportedly being used to commit crimes, urging them to cooperate with authorities so the suspects can be arrested.
James Mwesigye, the Western Regional Resident Commissioner, said the network operates through recruitment schemes where individuals are promised commissions after paying between 1 million and 2.5 million shillings. He warned that some rescued victims later return to the same racket, frustrating security efforts, and urged Local Council leaders, especially LC1 chairpersons, to remain vigilant about the operations of Aim Global.
James Okech, one of the rescued victims from Moroto District, said he suffered a lack of food and medication during his ordeal and lost 1.5 million shillings in the process. He identified the alleged ringleader as Ssekajja, noting that his phones are often switched off after collecting money from victims-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
