Preliminary police investigations reveal that, the 16 year old girls whose particulars have been concealed hails from Buturi village in Buhondo parish, Kicwamba sub-county in Kabarole district. They were reportedly lured to Hoima after being promised employment as housemaids.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson has confirmed arrest and detention of the suspect involved in Human trafficking.
The police in Hoima are investigating a case of aggravated
trafficking in persons involving two minors from Kabarole district.
Preliminary police investigations reveal that the 16-year-old girls
whose particulars have been concealed are from Buturi village in Buhondo
parish, Kicwamba sub-county in Kabarole district. They were reportedly lured to Hoima after
being promised employment as housemaids.
However, upon arrival in Hoima city, the minors were forced
into prostitution at a bar owned by Grace Businge Tusiime, 32 a resident of
Hoima city. She has since been arrested.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson
explains that the victims were also forced to surrender their clothes until
they could repay the suspect for the transport costs that she incurred on
their way to Hoima.
According to Hakiza, upon arrival in Hoima City, the minors
were allegedly informed that they were to generate income for the employer and
earn themselves a living through sexual intercourse with the bar customers.
He says the girls rejected the deal until the information
leaked to concerned citizens, human rights defenders and the police prompting
them to immediately swing into action.
Hakiza says the girls have since been rescued and examined
elaborating that the file has already been submitted to the Resident State
Attorney for perusal and legal advice.
According to Hakiza, the suspect has already been charged with
aggravated trafficking in persons adding that efforts are being made to
transport the victims back to their home villages.