Commissioner of Police (CP) Twinomujuni Julius, who doubles as the Coordinator for the Prevention in Trafficking in Persons (COPTIP) in Uganda Police has called upon students to heed the advice of their elders in combating human trafficking.
The call was made on Thursday, November 16, 2023, in the Greater Masaka Region where he addressed students and pupils who are potential targets during the upcoming long holiday which starts in Dember 2023.
Commissioner Twinomujuni warned that the real threat of human trafficking falls especially under the guise of scholarships, jobs and urged students to share such opportunities with guardians, teachers, and the police for verification, emphasizing the potential risks involved.
Highlighting the deceptive and fraudulent nature of these deals, Commissioner Julius asserted that even close relatives and friends can be perpetrators hence cautioned them against accepting favors like food, drinks, and lifts from strangers, as some substances may be used to intoxicate the targeted student/pupil who end up being trafficked.
To reinforce this message, the Commissioner visited several schools in in the border district of Kyotera, including Kyotera Primary School, Kyotera Central Muslim Secondary School, MK Primary School, and St Joseph Technical School.
1271 (656 male and 613 female) pupils at Kyotera Primary School, 550 (266 male and 284 female) students at Kyotera Central Muslim Secondary School, 416 (204 boys and 212 girls) pupils at MK Primary School and 517 (234 male and 283 female) students at St. Joseph’s Technical School Kiteredde, received the crucial information.
The commissioner further emphasized the need for collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to promptly report incidents and consult relevant authorities in case of any.
The activity is supported by the Better Migration Management Programme, funded by the EU and Germany.
