The Coordination Office for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons from the Ministry of Internal Affairs has conducted a vital training session aimed at empowering stakeholders in Rukungiri district to combat human trafficking. The one-day workshop took place yesterday at Palm Royal Hotel in Rukungiri Municipality.
The training focused on the 4Ps approach: Prevention, Prosecution, Protection, and Partnership. It was designed to equip local actors, including police officers, school head teachers, social workers, journalists, and political leaders, with essential skills and knowledge to raise awareness, improve case identification and referrals, and enhance community-led response mechanisms.
CP. Twinomujuni Julius, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Human Trafficking and National Coordinator for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons, facilitated the training. He highlighted the alarming prevalence of human trafficking in Rukungiri district, noting that six cases were reported last year alone.
During the session, CP Twinomujuni warned participants about the hidden dangers of human trafficking, which often masquerades as scholarship and job opportunities. He urged students to share such opportunities with their parents and to be aware of the potential risks involved.
“The need for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders cannot be overstated,” he said, emphasizing the importance of promptly reporting incidents and consulting relevant authorities when needed.
Geoffrey Kyomukama, the Rukungiri district chairperson LC5, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for organizing the training. He believes that such initiatives will significantly reduce the number of human trafficking cases through increased public sensitization.
The commitment from local leaders and law enforcement aims to foster a safer environment for the community, reinforcing the message that vigilance and cooperation are key in the fight against human trafficking.
