Napak, Uganda – The battle against child trafficking in the Karamoja sub-region has gained new momentum, thanks to the active efforts of Napak District’s Resident District Commissioner, Milton Odongo, who is spearheading an intensified grassroots campaign to protect vulnerable children.
In coordination with security agencies and NGOs, district leadership has successfully rescued and repatriated 592 street children from various urban centers, including Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Busia (Uganda), and Kisumu (Kenya). All these children originate from Napak. This number represents a significant portion of the estimated 15,000 street children spread across Uganda’s cities and western Kenya.
The announcement was made by RDC Odongo on Wednesday during the World Day against Trafficking in Persons commemoration in Matany Town Council. Speaking under the theme “Human Trafficking is an Organized Crime – Stop Exploitation,” he highlighted that many of the recovered children had been trafficked for forced labor, street begging, and other forms of exploitation.
The rescued children are now being rehabilitated and reintegrated into school through Uganda’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) program. They have been enrolled in three government primary schools—Lotome, Lodoi, and Lukodokudoi, ensuring they return to formal education.
“This is a turning point,” said RDC Odongo. “These children were victimized by a criminal network, and we are committed to restoring their dignity and future through education, psychosocial support, and community reintegration.”
Meanwhile, law enforcement efforts have resulted in the arrest and charging of 18 suspects implicated in child trafficking. According to RDC Odongo, traffickers often exploit children as young as six years old by forcing them into begging instead of school.
Security teams, in collaboration with community leaders and NGOs, have also launched surveillance and awareness campaigns across Napak and surrounding areas to prevent further cases of trafficking and to support at-risk families. RDC Odongo urged the public to report any suspected trafficking or exploitation and called on parents to remain vigilant.
This intensified crackdown forms part of a larger national and regional initiative to combat child trafficking, protect children’s rights, and uphold Uganda’s obligations under international child protection conventions.
