Ugandan sex slaves rescued in Malaysia

By Taddeo Bwambale

Uganda's High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has rescued three Ugandan girls recruited as sex slaves in Malaysia.

 Nasunna, Tebazaala and Nakuya (other names withheld) are scheduled to return home on Thursday aboard an Ethiopian Airways flight.

In a diplomatic note to the ministry of foreign affairs dated April 14, 2015, the High Commission said the young women were victims of physical and mental abuse.

"The three ladies have experienced the most inhuman forms of mental and physical torture. We request that they are contacted by a social worker for counselling," reads the letter signed by Samantha Mbabazi Sherurah, the High Commission's First Secretary.

The High Commissioner, Stephen Mubiru told New Vision in an interview yesterday that they were working with Malaysia's security agencies to track more victims of the abhorrent trade.

"A number of Ugandan ladies and men are victims of human trafficking in Malaysia, China and Asia countries. We are working hard to ensure the remaining victims return home," Mubiru said.

Sources in Kuala Lumpur the three returnees reported that about 20 more female Ugandan sex slaves are hiding in Kuala Lumpur, fearing  arrest by authorities or witch-hunt by their recruiters. The New Vision was told of some others in jail over various crimes.

Ambassador Mubiru appealed to any Ugandan victim of the thriving human trafficking and sex slavery in Malaysia to approach the mission for help.

The High Commission became operational on November 26, 2014 and the Consular Section was opened in March. Ambassador Mubiru took the reins on March 18.

For many years, reports of Ugandan girls being trafficked to different countries under the guise of finding them employment, but they end up in sex slavery.

Moses Binoga, coordinator of the anti-human trafficking task-force at the internal affairs ministry, said such cases were on the rise.

"I receive about five reports every week, mostly from the middle east. But only half the victims are assisted to return home," he told New Vision.

He said the problem arises when Ugandans seek employment abroad through personal contacts, instead of using registered recruitment agencies.

Foreign affairs ministry spokesperson, Fred Opolot confirmed that many cases of abuse of Ugandans in Malaysia had been brought to the attention of the ministry.

"Apart from boosting government, business and student relations, establishment of the embassy in Malaysia were partly aimed at to responding to an increase in such cases have improved," Opolot said.