A senior three student from Kapeka Secondary School in Nakaseke District has been taken into custody by the police on charges related to the trafficking of 170 individuals. The suspect is accused of deceiving these individuals by advertising fake job opportunities.
The apprehension of the student took place in Kyondo, Kapeka, on September 18, 2023. Subsequently, the student was transferred to the Kakiri police division located in Wakiso District. It is alleged that the young student had been harboring the victims in the residence of a 28-year-old woman situated in Nampunge village, Kakiri sub-county, Wakiso District.
Following an interrogation, the student confessed to his intentions, revealing that he had planned to extort money from the victims by posing as a representative of Humble Company in Kenya. However, it was determined that there was no legitimate connection between the suspect and the said company. Consequently, the job advertisements for positions such as waiters, waitresses, coffee packers, and supermarket attendants in Kenya were fraudulent, as confirmed by SCP Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson.
The student now faces 170 charges related to trafficking in persons, as announced by Mr. Enanga.
This arrest follows the earlier detention of a woman who had been operating as the recruitment agent for the student. In a prior statement, the police disclosed that approximately 98 victims from various locations, including Nansana, Kyengera, Bukomero, Butambala, Kasese, Fort Portal, and Kyegegwa, had allegedly paid sums of 100,000 shillings each for the promised job opportunities. Others had reportedly paid 50,000 shillings each.