Police in Wakiso district have arrested two suspects accused of trafficking some 17 children.
ASP Luke Owoyesigire, the Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, said the duo was arrested on April 15, 2023, following a tip from the community.
They were found holding a total of 17 children at Nkoowe-Mende boda-boda in Kaliti Parish, Wakiso District.
“On April 15, 2023, a reliable source reported to the police that a lady with 17 young children was sighted at the Nkoowe-Mende boda boda stage in Koowe village, Kaliti Parish, in Wakiso District, where our officers responded immediately and intercepted the suspects. They were also able to rescue the children and recover their luggage,” Owoyesigire said.
He identified the suspects as Kalorine Niyebare and Dina Ashaba. The suspects claimed the children were being taken to Mbarara but declined to disclose more information.
Police preliminary findings indicate that the victims are between the ages of one and six years old, can only express themselves in English, and unfortunately do not know their homes.
The police believe the children could have suffered from child torture after being found in a bad condition with bruised and wounded bodies, especially on the buttocks.
Owoyesigire has confirmed that the suspects are currently detained at Wakiso Police Station, and police have preferred charges of child trafficking as further investigations are still ongoing.