Govt Launches Safe Migration Campaign to Combat Human Trafficking
The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development has launched a nationwide campaign, "Safe Migration", to educate Ugandans about the dangers of human trafficking and promote safe migration practices.
JINJA - The State Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations, Esther Anyakun, has expressed concern over the increasing number of young girls from Eastern Uganda being trafficked to Arab countries.
Many of these girls are now stranded abroad, seeking government assistance to return home, with traffickers reportedly exploiting porous borders through Kenya.
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In response, the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development has launched a nationwide campaign, "Safe Migration", to educate Ugandans about the dangers of human trafficking and promote safe migration practices.
"Most of the girls trafficked to Arab countries originate from Eastern Uganda," Minister Anyakun revealed.
"Out of the 250 girls recently pardoned by the Saudi Arabian government, 50% are from Eastern Uganda. We suspect traffickers are taking advantage of weak border controls to smuggle them out of the country. This alarming trend calls for immediate action."
The Safe Migration campaign aims to raise awareness in vulnerable communities, particularly in Eastern Uganda, about the risks associated with irregular migration.
It also seeks to inform citizens about legal and safe avenues for employment abroad.
Minister Anyakun urged local leaders, families, and law enforcement agencies to work together to combat human trafficking.
She emphasized the importance of reporting suspected traffickers and cases of exploitation, highlighting the government's commitment to enhancing border security and collaborating with international partners to repatriate victims and dismantle trafficking networks.
"We are entering bilateral agreements with different countries while tightening labour laws domestically. Some companies registered as tours and travel agencies are illegally trafficking girls. We warn them that their proprietors will face arrest," the minister stated.
The Ministry has advised young people, especially women, to verify employment opportunities abroad thoroughly and only use licensed recruitment agencies.
"Many of the returned girls lacked passports. Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere, they are forced into prostitution by handlers in 'Mama Biyumba' who confiscate their documents. This must stop," Anyakun said.
She also called upon the media to play a pivotal role in sensitizing parents to avoid allowing their children to fall prey to unlicensed labour recruitment agencies.
In addition, the minister encouraged Ugandans to explore government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, Youth Livelihood Programme, Emyooga, and SAGE for income generation rather than resorting to uncertain employment abroad.
This campaign is part of a broader strategy to address socio-economic challenges, such as poverty and unemployment, which make individuals vulnerable to trafficking.
The Safe Migration initiative will involve partnerships with civil society organizations, local governments, the media, and international agencies to ensure a comprehensive and impactful approach to combating human trafficking.
