By APN Reporter
apearlnews.com
The territorial police in Rwenzori West and Fort Portal police have in custody six coordinators and staff members of Empowered Consumerism, operating under the name Dream Visionaries in Africa, on charges of trafficking in persons after they lured and recruited victims under a fraudulent employment and business scheme.
The 6 suspects include Mugumisiriza Lyndon, a 22-year-old male adult; Aligonza Kenneth, aged 22; Namisi Godfrey, aged 20; Namakoyo Esther, aged 24; Nafuna Rebecca; and Nandudu Enida.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says that preliminary findings indicate that the victims received calls from Namisi Godfrey and Namakoye Esther, inviting them for jobs in Fort Portal. As a result, four victims mobilized and transported themselves from the districts of Mbale and Bulambuli up to Fortportal.
Enanga adds that, however, when they reached Fort Portal, they found no jobs, and the employers instead asked them to pay Ugx. 1.6 million for membership and to recruit more victims through a pyramid scheme.
The victims include Muyama Phionah, a 29-year-old student of Buyera village, Bunamaliro parish in Bulambuli district, Napokoli Edwin Isaiah, a 20-year-old student of Buhatemela village in Bulambuli district, Mutuwa Doreen, a 24-year-old nursing student of Shikundu village in Mbale district, and Nandudu Sophie, a 20-year-old student of Buwaya village in Bulambuli district.
He reveals that the police are committed to combating all forms of trafficking in persons’ networks to help mitigate the risks of labor exploitation.
