The Territorial Police in Rwenzori West and Fortportal police, have in custody 6 coordinators and staffs of Empowered Consumerism, operating under Dream Visionaries in Africa, on charges of trafficking in persons, after they lured and recruited victims, under a fraudulent employment and business scheme. The 6 suspects include; Mugumisiriza Lyndon, a 22 year old, male adult, Aligonza Kenneth, aged 22, Namisi Godfrey, aged 20, Namakoyo Esther aged 24, Nafuna Rebecca and Nandudu Enida.
The preliminary findings indicate that the victims received calls from Namisi Godfrey and Namakoye Esther, inviting them for jobs in Fortportal. As a result, 4 victims mobilised and transported themselves, from the districts of Mbale and Bulambuli up to Fortportal. However, when they reached Fortportal, they found no jobs and the employers instead asked them to pay Ugx. 1.6m for membership and to recruit more victims through a pyramid scheme.
The victims include; Muyama Phionah a 29 year old student of Buyera village, Bunamaliro parish in Bulambuli district, Napokoli Edwin Isaiah, a 20 year old student of Buhatemela village in Bulambuli district, Mutuwa Doreen, a 24 year old , nursing student of Shikundu village in Mbale district and Nandudu Sophie, a 20 year old student of Buwaya village in Bulambuli district.
As the police, we want to reaffirm our commitment in combating all forms of trafficking in persons networks, to help mitigate the risks of labour exploitation. If you believe you have information about a potential trafficking situation, please call the Human Trafficking Desk at CID Headquarters on 0713-881798.
Source: Uganda Police Force