16 trafficked children reunited with their families

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Sixteen children believed to have been trafficked from different parts of central Uganda have been reunited with their parents. The children between 6 and 17 years of age, were reportedly rescued from 30-year-old Deo Kivumbi, a resident of Kasubi cell in Rubaga division, Kampala city.

Kivumbi was arrested on December 14th, 2022 from Kiryatete, a suburb of Hoima city after he was found with children comprising five boys and 11 girls. The children were from Nasaana, Kasubi, Kiboga, Kyengera, Kawaala, Kalerwe, and other parts of Kampala. They were reportedly found sharing a single room that was rented by Kivumbi in Kiryatete.

Trouble for Kivumbi started after Everce Munguriek, the Kikuube District Worker’s representative found the children under the care of Kivumbi entertaining group gathered in Kiryatete. Munguriek became suspicious and tasked Kivumbi to provide documents authorizing him to take charge of all the 16 children in vain.

She immediately directed security, which arrested Kivumbi and rescued the children. Upon further interogation, Kivumbi explained that the parents of the children allowed him to stay with them and perform in different parts of the country to raise money for their school fees in the next year. However, his statements were uncoordinated prompting security to lock him up.

The children were taken to the child and family protection unit of Hoima city central police station for safe custody. Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson told URN in an interview on Wednesday afternoon that the children were transported to Kampala and reunited with their parents after a thorough screening exercise.

According to Hakiza, they coordinated with their counterparts at the police headquarters in Kampala to trace the parents of the children. He too explains that the suspect will be charged with human trafficking and child labor once police investigations are completed.

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