By APN Reporter
apearlnews.com
In a collaborative effort to combat human trafficking, the Coordination Office for Prevention of Human Trafficking (COPTIP), under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Uganda Police, has partnered with the German International Cooperation (GIZ) to raise awareness within secondary schools in the Bukedi Region. The sensitization program was conducted in five schools situated near the border districts of Busia and Malaba in the eastern part of Uganda.
The participating schools in this vital awareness campaign included Tororo Girls, Katarema School, Asinge School, Rubongi Army School, and Rock High School. These educational institutions were carefully selected to ensure that the message reached a wide and diverse group of students.
- Tororo Girls: A total of 1,984 students participated in the awareness program.
- Katarema School: This school had 1,239 students, comprising 675 boys and 564 girls.
- Asinge School: With 1,311 students, this school had 740 boys and 571 girls.
- Rubongi Army School: An impressive 2,700 students attended this school, consisting of 1,524 boys and 1,446 girls.
- Rock High School: 1,209 students from Rock High, including 633 boys and 676 girls, were part of the sensitization initiative. Additionally, 24 students with special needs, comprising 11 boys and 13 girls, attended the program.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Twinomujuni Julius, the coordinator of Trafficking in Persons with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, emphasized that the initiative’s primary goal is to address the issue of human trafficking at an early stage, recognizing that a significant number of victims are young individuals, particularly school-going girls. He stressed the need for vigilance among teachers, students, and caretakers, especially as the holiday season approaches.
Traffickers often prey on students by enticing them with promises of attractive sponsorship programs for school and appealing job opportunities, exploiting the vulnerabilities of these students, who may ultimately fall into their traps. (CP) Twinomujuni highlighted the importance of thorough verification in coordination with the appropriate authorities in the case of any appealing sponsorship offers.
This collaborative effort between the Coordination Office for Prevention of Human Trafficking, the Uganda Police, and the German International Cooperation aims to empower young students with knowledge and tools to protect themselves against the dangers of human trafficking. By reaching out to these schools in the Bukedi Region, the program hopes to create a safer environment for students and raise awareness about the risks they may face. It is a significant step in the ongoing battle against human trafficking in Uganda.
The COPTIP, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Uganda Police have shown a strong commitment to preventing human trafficking, and with the support of partners like the German International Cooperation, their efforts are set to make a lasting impact in the fight against this heinous crime.
As the campaign continues to unfold, it is expected that more schools and communities will benefit from similar awareness programs, ultimately contributing to a safer and more vigilant society in Uganda.
