Strategy to combat human trafficking along the Uganda-South Sudan border launched 

---

Adjumani | The Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN) has launched a transformative cross-border communication strategy and referral mechanism to combat human trafficking along Uganda’s border with South Sudan.

This initiative highlights the critical need for regional cooperation to protect children and vulnerable populations.

At the launch, UCRNN Executive Director Damon Wamara emphasized the importance of the issue.

“We have noticed that 60% of human trafficking cases involve children. This is not only a national issue but a major crisis. We aim to ensure safe and orderly migration at key border points such as Elegu and Nimule,” he said.

A growing crisis

Human trafficking is on the rise worldwide, including in Uganda and South Sudan.

The alarming statistics were highlighted by Julius Twinomujuni, Uganda’s Commissioner of Police and head of the Coordination Office for the Prevention of Human Trafficking.

“Annually, we receive close to 2,000 cases of human trafficking in Uganda, and 90% of these cases involve children and women. This is a serious issue requiring urgent intervention,” he noted.

South Sudan faces similar challenges, particularly in Nimule, where trafficking is rampant.

Jacob Charles Anyanzo, representing Humans Must Access Essential Services (HUMEAS), praised UCRNN for collaborating with South Sudanese organisations to combat the crime.

“In Nimule, we record between 100 to 200 cases of human trafficking annually. Unlike Uganda, South Sudan still lacks clear guidelines and policies to address this issue. We must strengthen civil society networks across the borders to tackle this crime effectively,” Anyanzo stated.

The deputy town clerk of Nimule, Cizarwa Wajaras Keji, called for greater governmental intervention, particularly to protect women and children who are the primary victims of trafficking.

“Human trafficking is rampant, and we need both governments to act decisively to end this crime,” she said.

Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain, including porous borders, limited resources, and a lack of clear policies in South Sudan.

Stakeholders at the launch emphasized the need for continued cross-border collaboration and the creation of unified policies to combat trafficking comprehensively.

“This initiative is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. No child or individual should be subjected to exploitation, and it is our shared responsibility to ensure their safety,” Wamara concluded.

This collaborative effort is a critical step forward in combating human trafficking, providing hope for a safer future for children and vulnerable populations along the Uganda-South Sudan border.

Government’s commitment to combating human trafficking

Osborn Oceng, the Resident District Commissioner of Amuru, reaffirmed the Ugandan government’s commitment to combating human trafficking.

RDC Osborn praised the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network for its proactive efforts and emphasized the significance of cross-border cooperation between Uganda and South Sudan.

“Our presence here is a clear manifestation of the commitment to ending human trafficking because it is our cardinal responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone along the border,” Oceng stated.

“Uganda and South Sudan are part of the East African Community, and there is no reason why we shouldn’t work together to tackle this issue,” he added.

Progress in combating human trafficking

In 2023, Uganda made significant progress in combating human trafficking, with the government reporting investigations into 1,006 incidents, up from 1,200 in 2022.

While the slight decrease in reported cases is encouraging, the crime remains a significant challenge.

Prosecutions were initiated against 589 alleged traffickers across 494 cases in 2023, compared to 728 individuals prosecuted in 589 cases in 2022.

Of those prosecuted in 2023, 373 were charged with sex trafficking. 81 were charged with labour trafficking, 32 with both sex and labour trafficking, and 103 with unspecified forms of trafficking.