Anti-human trafficking crusaders asked to work together

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The Catholic Church has held its annual National Day of Prayer and Awareness on Human Trafficking with a call on organisations, government bodies, security organisations and individuals involved in fighting and preventing human trafficking to work together to end the vice.

Presiding over the prayers at Sharing Youth Centre Nsambya, in Makindye Division on Friday, October 30, the archbishop of Kampala archdiocese, Paul Ssemogerere, urged Christians and all Ugandans of good will to be mindful of the real presence of human trafficking and modern slavery as they also participate in fighting and preventing it.

Major stakeholders participating in the prayers.

He asked people to be mindful of the priceless value of human life and the dignity of human life in order to be effective fighters and preventers of the vice.

“Trafficking in persons and subjecting them to slavery violates human dignity. It threatens peace, which, as we know, begins with human dignity. Peace does not mean absence of war. It is not decided in boardrooms. Peace is guaranteed when all of us recognise each other as having been created in the image of God. We must see and fight the crimes around us. Let us listen and respond to the cries of the victims of human trafficking. We must not keep quiet. We must strengthen our commitment to ending modern slavery. Let us receive and treat the survivors of this vice with compassion. Let us place dignity over exploitation. Human dignity is the foundation for global peace,” the archbishop said.

Ssemogerere lamented the internal trafficking, exploitation and enslavement of little children from Karamoja sub-region and appealed to government to do more to end the horrible vice.

The Executive Director of Jon Paul II Justice and Peace Centre, Alfred Avuni, who gave the key-note speech, also called on Ugandans not to ignore the crime of human trafficking, saying it was not only international but also domestic.

The musical kids from St. Balikuddembe Primary School, Ttomi, presenting a musical piece on human trafficking, during the function.

“Uganda is acknowledged as one of the sources, transit and destination countries for women and children subjected to human trafficking in form of slavery. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported 1,002 human trafficking cases reported in 2025. Of those cases, 555 were children and 447 adults. But we should also know that there were many other hidden cases, which were not reported, because of fear, intimidation and other reasons,” he said.

Avuni called for greater commitment to public sensitisation on human trafficking. He also called for greater protection of children and youth from the traffickers. He thanked the Government for coming up with the National Action Plan against human trafficking and called for its decisive implementation.

The Coordinator, Prevention of Trafficking in Persons at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Commissioner of Police Julius Twinomujuni, assured the public that government was committed to regulating labour migration, irrespective of the challenges.

He cited unemployment, lack of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding with some countries, globalisation, digital and Artificial Intelligence revolution, as some of the challenges that sometimes make it difficult for government to prevail over human trafficking.

He cautioned young people, especially the candidates, to be careful with people who entice them with job offers and scholarships.

“People take advantage of your vulnerability and ambitions. They are skilled at using social media, radio, digital platforms, WhatsApp and Tik Tok. The situation is worsened by the misuse of artificial intelligence, from which none of us is safe. Be watchful; share information. We cannot act without information and good laws. Security begins with you. But legislation and law enforcement alone is not enough. Cross-border investigation can also be hard. So, we need prevention.  We also need to come up with a law regulating cryptal currency. Sim cards of foreigners should also not be activated until they are registered,” said Twinomujuni.

The Commander of the Salvation Army, Uganda Territory, Col. John P. Murray, also emphasised the need to protect the dignity of every person in order to build proper foundations for peace and freedom. He said promoting peace was one way for the Christians to express their faith.

Gen. Tumukunde reassures public

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Lt. Gen. (rtd) Henry Tumukunde, assured Ugandans that government had began to restructure its systems as one way of dealing with the vice of trafficking in persons.

The Head of the Laity of Kampala Archdiocese, Emily Kitto Mwaka (second-left, fore-front) during the function. In the background are the medical students from St. Michael Lubaga Hospital Training School.

He said his ministry had set up a screening committee made of eminent Ugandans to screen labour exporting companies. “Our systems will help us to know who qualifies to export labour and whether they meet the moral standards required,” he said.

Tumukunde revealed that government was going to invest heavily in training of young Ugandans. “We have always been fearing to invest in training. We shall train you, give you travel documents and register you so that you don't need to seek support elsewhere."

Tumukunde thanked the Catholic Church for opting to work with his ministry. “This is a positive development.  We need to act on one frequency, including setting up proper digital systems,” he said.

He also assured archbishop Ssemogerere that government will prevail over the challenge of internal trafficking of Karimojong children, the same way it defeated terrorism.

The General called for greater cooperation with all the stakeholders in the fight against trafficking.

“Try to be supportive of the Government. If we work together, human trafficking can be ended. Let us actively campaign against it, with enthusiasm. Lay all the issues you have to the ministry. Let’s cooperate,” he said.

The Director of Lay Apostolate at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat, Nsambya, who was also the chairperson of the Organising Committee, Fr. Fred Tusingire, thanked Tumukunde for his solidarity and good will in the fight against human trafficking. He also thanked government for what it has done so far, to check the vice.

The function was organised by the Catholic Church in partnership with John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre, Mwagale Foundation, St. Bakhita Anti-Human Trafficking Network Uganda, the Salvation Army, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Head of the Catholic Laity in Uganda, who is also the deputy managing director of Vision Group, Gervase Ndyanabo, and the head of the laity for Kampala archdiocese, Emily Kitto Mwaka, also attended.

Hundreds of learners from various schools and child-care organisations, also attended.