Kanungu, (UG): The Territorial Police in Kigezi Region and Kanungu District have in custody a 37-year-old female bus conductor of Baby Coach on allegations of trafficking children into the neighbouring DR Congo for rebel activities.
Farida Nabakooza, 37, a resident of Bulenga in Wakiso District is accused of mobilizing child refugees into the DRC to join a rebel group termed “Twiraneho” meaning “lets us fight for ourselves”.
According to Police Spokesperson Mr Fred Enanga, preliminary findings indicate that on Monday, 6th November 2023, at around 8 am, the suspect received the five children, and handed them over to the conductor of Baby Coach bus, who knew where to drop them.
“Two of the victims including Muvula Christine, a 17-year-old, refugee and pupil at United Nursery and Primary School, in Nakivale Refugee Camp, escaped and were reunited with their mother. Three other victims identified as Bisesa Prince, aged 15, Tezero and Sabikoze are still missing,” Enanga stated while addressing journalists during a media briefing in Kampala.
The Police spox said efforts were in place to locate them in coordination with the Eastern DRC officials and also have the suspects still at large arrested.
“As the Joint Security Agencies, we shall continue to monitor all spaces including refugee camps, which act as domains for recruitment and as collection centres for children, into the rebel ranks,” said Mr Enanga.
At the time of this report, the bus company, Baby Coach bus Services was yet to release a statement on the staff implicated in the trafficking crime.
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