Police arrest two women suspected of child trafficking in Wakiso

WAKISO, UGANDA: The Police in Wakiso is holding two women on suspicions of aggravated child trafficking after 17 children aged 1-6 years were rescued with wounds and bruises allover their body in Nkoowe Village, Wakiso district.

The two suspects; Niyebare Kalorine and Ashaba Dina currently detained at Wakiso police station were arrested on Saturday April15 after a reliable source tipped police about a number of young children stuck with a lady at Nkoowe-Mende boda boda stage in Nkoowe village, Kaliti parish, Wakiso.

Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire said upon learning of the incident, Wakiso police officers responded immediately and recovered all the children and their luggage.

“We have arrested two suspects; Niyebare Kalorine and Ashaba Dina who are currently being detained at Wakiso police station on the holding charge of child trafficking,” ASP Owoyesigyire said on Saturday morning.

According to his statement, police preliminary investigations indicated that the children most of whom were aged 1 and 6 years did not know any other language apart from English.

“It was established that the children were aged between 1 to 6 years and did not know any language apart from English. They also did not know where they came from and were found to be in bad condition with bruises and wounds all over the body especially on the buttocks, arousing suspicions of child torture,” the KMP deputy spokesperson said.

It is reported that during investigations, one of the suspects (Dina) reported that the children were being taken to Mbarara district but failed to provide any more useful information, feigning ignorance of the language.

“They are unable to explain where they came from, and are in bad condition with bruises and wounds all over their bodies especially on the buttocks, which is a sign of torture,” Mr Owoyesigyire.

Owoyesigyire said police are now continuing with the investigation with inquiries still ongoing to establish the real motive of the suspected traffickers and have them charged before courts of law.