According to Jimmy Nambiro, the Assistant Resident City Commissioner for Industrial City Division, who led the operation, concerned parents reported that Derrick had approached their children last Saturday and lured them with promises of Shs 100,000 each and construction jobs in Soroti City with attractive pay.
Police in Mbale City are holding a 37-year-old man, only identified as Derrick, a resident of Namatala Ward in Industrial City Division, over allegations of recruiting more than 20 underage children for illegal activities.
According to Jimmy Nambiro, the Assistant Mbale City Industrial Division Resident City Commissioner, who led the operation, concerned parents reported that Derrick had approached their children last Saturday and lured them with promises of Shs 100,000 each and construction jobs in Soroti City.
However, instead of taking them to Soroti, Derrick reportedly diverted the children to an undisclosed location.
Geoffrey Wabwire, a parent from Namatala, said his son, a Senior Three student at Mbale Secondary School, left home without his knowledge after being misled by Derrick.
“My son called and told me he was going for military training at Kidepo National Park,” Wabwire recounted.
Another parent, Justine Bulieli, called on the police to not only prosecute Derrick but also identify and apprehend the individuals who took the children away.
“We want our children safely returned and those responsible held accountable,” she said.
Rogers Taitika, the Elgon Region Police Spokesperson, said he would provide a comment after receiving a full briefing on the case. By press time, Derrick was still detained at Namatala Police Station as investigations continued.
Weswa Ronnie
Freelancer