Wakiso, (UG): The Police in Kampala Metropolitan have arrested a 38-year-old Harriet Nasuuna on human trafficking-related charges after 179 victims were rescued from her residence in Kakiri sub-county, Wakiso District.
The victims comprising of 99 males and 80 females had been recruited by Nassuuna on promises of being taken to Kenya for employment.
The development was confirmed by Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango in a Wednesday police statement.
“On Tuesday, August 23, 2023, at about 3:00 pm, our officers received intelligence regarding Harriet Nasuuna, a 38-year-old resident of Nampunge village in Kakiri sub-county, Wakiso district who was allegedly involved in the recruitment of people aged 18 and above, purportedly offering them opportunities for employment in Kenya,” Mr Onyango said.
At around 7:00 p.m. of the same day, Onyango says the suspect was taken into custody by the police to make a statement and upon investigation, “it was discovered that she had gathered youths from various regions across Uganda, including Nansana, Kyengera, Bukomero, Butambala, Kasese, Fort Portal, Kyegegwa, and others, enticing them with promises of a better future.”
“Both male and female victims had congregated at Nasuuna’s residence in Nampunge village, Kakiri sub-county, Wakiso district, awaiting transportation to Nairobi, Kenya,” he added.
The suspect admitted to recruiting the group and said that she had been assigned the task by a certain William Mugenyi, 18, a resident of Kapeeka, in Nakaseke District.
“During interrogation, the suspect said that she had been assigned the task of recruiting energetic young men and women by a certain Mugenyi William, an 18-year-old resident of Kapeka Semuto in Nakaseke district.”
Mugenyi, reportedly a S.3 student at Kapeka Secondary School, was allegedly acting as an agent on behalf of his sister, identified as Carol, associated with the Humble Company in Nairobi, Kenya.
“Further investigation revealed that the victims were being lured into positions such as waiters, waitresses, supermarket attendants, and casual laborers at St. Mary’s Coffee Company in Kenya,” Onyango noted.
At the time of the police statement, the prime suspect (Harriet Nasuuna) was still being held in custody at Kakiri police station pending further investigations.
Onyango said efforts are also underway to arrest the individual known as Mugenyi, to help with investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, police said necessary arrangements are also underway to facilitate the victims’ return to their respective homes.
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