Police rescue 24 suspected trafficking victims, arrest one suspect

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Police are holding a suspect in connection with suspected human trafficking after 24 young people were rescued from alleged confinement in rented rooms during an intelligence-led operation in Wakiso town council.

The operation, conducted by Kampala Metropolitan Police, followed a tip-off received on May 29, 2026, at around 10:00 pm, indicating that a group of youths had been confined under suspicious circumstances in Kikookiro-Kapeke village, Kisimbiri parish.

Police acted on the information and raided the location on May 30, 2026, at about 7:00 am. Officers found 25 people inside the premises, including 13 females, 11 males, and one man suspected to be the supervisor.

Of those found, 24 were rescued and identified as potential victims, while one suspect was arrested at the scene.

The rescued individuals, aged between 18 and 26, reportedly originate from several districts, including Kasese, Lyantonde, Kagadi, Arua, Kakumiro, Fort Portal and Koboko.

Preliminary findings indicate that the group had been recruited from different parts of the country and brought to Wakiso under the pretext of engaging in the marketing of herbal medicine.

However, police said no herbal medicine products or related materials were recovered from the rooms during the operation.

The suspect has been identified as John Edwin Gulu, a resident of Kasese district, and is currently in police custody as investigations continue into possible trafficking and exploitation networks.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala confirmed the rescue and arrest, describing the operation as intelligence-led and urging caution against suspicious recruitment schemes targeting young people.

“Police received credible information that youths were being held in rented rooms under suspicious conditions. A swift operation was conducted, leading to the rescue of 24 victims and the arrest of one suspect. Investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and whether this is part of a wider trafficking network,” Kawala said.

Police added that all the rescued victims have been taken to Wakiso Police Station for profiling, welfare support and further investigation as detectives continue to pursue leads on possible organised recruitment and trafficking activities.