By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Police has arrested a 38 year old woman for alleged trafficking of 179 persons with promise of getting them employment in Kenya.
Nasuuna Harriet, a 38-year-old resident of Nampunge village in Kakiri sub-county, Wakiso district was netted on Tuesday 29th August 2023 after security was tipped off by concerned residents.
According SSP Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Nassuna had gathered youths from various regions across Uganda, including Nansana, Kyengera, Bukomero, Butambala, Kasese, Fort Portal, Kyegegwa, and others, enticing them with promises of a better future.
He says police at Kakiri picked Nasuuna at around 7:00 pm and was taken into custody by the police to make a statement.
“Upon investigation, it was discovered that she had gathered youths from various regions across Uganda, including Nansana, Kyengera, Bukomero, Butambala, Kasese, Fort Portal, Kyegegwa, and others, enticing them with promises of a better future,” Onyango says.
He said police raided Nasuuna’s home in Nampunge village, Kakiri sub-county, Wakiso district, where they found the victims awaiting transportation to Nairobi, Kenya.
During interrogation, the suspect said that she had been assigned the task of recruiting energetic young men and women by a certain Mugenyi William, an 18-year-old resident of Kapeka Semuto in Nakaseke district.
Mugenyi, reportedly an S.3 student at Kapeka Secondary School, was allegedly acting as an agent on behalf of his sister, identified as Carol, associated with the Humble Company in Nairobi, Kenya.
Further investigation revealed that the victims were being lured into positions such as waiters, waitresses, supermarket attendants, and casual laborers at St. Mary’s Coffee Company in Kenya.
A total of 179 victims, comprising 99 males and 80 females, were rescued and taken to Kakiri police station for necessary arrangements to facilitate their return to their respective homes.
The primary suspect remains in custody at Kakiri police station. Efforts are underway to arrest the individual known as Mugenyi William, to help with investigations into the matter.
