Police in Wakiso District are investigating a suspected human trafficking case after rescuing 24 young people and arresting one suspect during an operation in Wakiso Town Council.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala, the operation followed intelligence reports indicating that several young men and women were being held in rented rooms at Kikookiro-Kapeke Village, Kisimbiri Parish.
“At about 10:00 p.m. on 29 May 2026, we received information from a reliable source indicating that a group of youths were being confined in rented rooms in the area,” Kawala said.
Police conducted an operation on the morning of 30 May 2026 at around 7:00 a.m., leading to the rescue of the victims, who were found in separate rooms for males and females.
Preliminary findings indicate that the victims, aged between 18 and 26, originated from several districts including Kasese, Lyantonde, Kagadi, Arua, Kakumiro, Fort Portal and Koboko, among others.
They reportedly told police they had been recruited under the promise of employment in marketing herbal medicine. However, no herbal medicine products were recovered from the premises during the operation.
A total of 25 individuals were found at the location, including 13 females, 11 males, and one man believed to be their supervisor.
The suspect, identified as Edwin Gulu , a resident of Kasese District, is currently in police custody as investigations continue. All rescued individuals have been taken to Wakiso Police Station for support and further management.
