By Our Reporter
KAMPALA
Four suspects linked to an alleged online sexual exploitation ring uncovered in Kira Municipality have been remanded after prosecutors charged them with trafficking 22 victims for sexual exploitation and harmful child labour.
Vivian Kobela, Martha Lubango, Irene Naziwa and Juma Oguti appeared before Kira Grade I Magistrate Ivan Seguya on Friday, 5th June, 2026 and were charged with aggravated trafficking in persons.
The offences are capital in nature and can only be tried by the High Court, meaning the accused were not required to enter pleas.
The four are jointly charged with Aminah Nalubega and Madinah Namatovu, who were absent from court. Magistrate Seguya issued criminal summons requiring them to appear at the next court session.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the accused and other suspects still at large allegedly operated a trafficking syndicate in Mbalwa, Kira Municipality, between September 2025 and May 2026.
Prosecutors allege they “recruited, transported, received and harboured vulnerable victims through fraud, deception, abuse of power and exploitation.”
The charge sheet contains 22 counts, including one count of “aggravated trafficking of a child for harmful labour” involving a 17-year-old girl and 21 counts of aggravated trafficking in persons for “purposes of sexual exploitation.”
Chief State Attorney Cate Basuuta told court that investigations are ongoing and that additional suspects linked to the alleged network remain at large.
The case stems from a May 18 operation by the Directorate of Crime Intelligence and Kira Division Police in Mbalwa Buyinja Zone, Kyaliwajjala, where officers raided a house after receiving intelligence that young women were being held there.
Police said they found “27 women aged between 17 and 26 living in three rooms” and recovered laptops, cameras and adult devices allegedly used in the operation.
Investigators suspect the premises were being used to produce and stream online adult content for foreign audiences.
