By Frank Kamuntu
The Territorial Police in North West Nile, and Adjuman district, have in custody two suspects for allegedly trafficking 8 Sudanese, from the South Darful Nyala, through the South Sudan and into Uganda.
The suspects include; Maguek Machar, a South Sudan, Refugee at Ocea Refugee Settlement in Madi-Okollo district and Yousi Salih Barka Rahma, a 42 year old, resident of Tanganyika cell, Oli, division in Arua City.
”We have established that while in Juba, the family was convinced by Maguek Machar, to come to Uganda and settle as refugees. They were however, intercepted on the 4.10.2023, at around 9am, at Sinyanya village, Maaji Parish, Ukusijoni Sub county in Adjuman district, while carrying 8 victims in a Toyota Noah, white in color, under registration number, SSD 532,” says Uganda Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga.
He adds that the victims who included; Sana Siddige Ibrahim, 48, Samar Tarig Adam Ali, 27 Younies Tarig Adam Ali 23, Sabaa Tarig Adam Ali, 21, Sabna Tarig Adam, 17, Mustaga Tarig Adam Ali, 15, Soru Tarig Adam Ali, 12 and Moayed Tarig Adam Ali 10, were trafficked from Nyala in South Darfur, due to the war and the search for better education, medical services and food in South Sudan, and or Uganda.
The victims were handed over to the OPM reception center in Adjuman for further management, while the two suspects were charged for trafficking in persons.
”As the police, we do strongly condemn such schemes, where vulnerable refugees are taken advantage of and exploited. We continue to remain dedicated in combating networks of trafficking in persons. And therefore, urge anyone with information about a potential trafficking in persons situation, to report to the nearest police,” cautions Enanga.
