By Clare N
Following the 8th Feb international prayer day of human trafficking victims via intercession of St Josephine Bakhita, all people of God have been requested to end human trafficking with immediate effect.
While delivering homily, during holy mass Fr Vincent Mbusa of the holy cross stressed the absurdity of human trafficking which unfortunately is happening as a choice,but appealed to all people to join hands in ending this modern Slavery he termed it.
Fr. Mbusa further advised people of God to pray through the intercession of St Josephine Bakhita who was enslaved but chose to Pray and forgive after gaining her freedom.
Rev Sr Semerita Mbambu one of the holy cross sisters who have taken action in helping victims of human trafficking around Tooro Region, bases her view of human trafficking majorly as economic but wishes people could get better businesses to do rather than this.
Sr Semerita adds that some may be doing it innocently but appeals to them to stop now that voices are everywhere requesting to be freed.Holy cross sisters have tremendously uplifted the well being of human trafficking victims but request individuals to take it upon themselves join hands and put this shameful act to an end.
The day was celebrated under the theme “The power of women, the economy and trafficking in Persons” where Pope Francis expressed sorrow in the face of these scourges of humanity and called upon those with responsibility to act.
In a video message for this day, Pope Francis has called for an economy of care, courage, and the promotion of justice aimed at building a society that puts the human person at the center.
This was during the occasion of the 7th International Day of Prayer and Reflection against Trafficking in Persons.In this video, pope Francis addressed all who work against human trafficking and who are spiritually united
This international prayer day also doubles as a feast day for St Josephine Bakhita a slave girl who became a saint and a universal symbol of the Church’s commitment against slavery
Pope Francis, highlighting the significance of the World Day, said that it helps us to “remember this tragedy and encourages us not to stop praying and fighting together”
The aim, the Pope stressed, “is for every enslaved person to return to being a free agent of his or her own life and to take an active part in the construction of the common good.”
During the Day of Prayer, Pope Francis further emphasized the need to pray to support victims of trafficking and those who accompany the process of integration and social rehabilitation, adding also, that we need to pray that “we may learn to approach with humanity and courage those who have been marked by so much pain and despair, keeping hope alive.”
Speaking further on St. Bakhita, Pope Francis explained that her liturgical memorial is a strong reminder of the dimensions of faith and prayer because “her witness always resonates, alive and relevant” and it is a call to “place trafficked persons, their families, their communities at the center.”
Meanwhile according to the holy cross sisters Tooro region, Over 100 victims of human trafficking are under their care, Over 60 in Kasese, over 50 in Bundibugyo and over 30 in Fort Portal all being nursed from effects of human trafficking
Uganda is home to approximately 43 million people and a very young population, with an average age of 5.9 years old.
Because of its prominent position in Africa, Uganda is an important destination for international tourism and trade. With large economic inequality and limited access to employment opportunities, Uganda’s population has grown economically vulnerable. This economic insecurity has led to high rates of human trafficking in Uganda, as black market traffickers exploit vulnerable populations.
According to the Trafficking in Persons Report from 2020, estimates determined that traffickers are currently exploiting 7,000 to 12,000 children through sex trafficking in Uganda. The report also outlines how human trafficking in Uganda primarily takes the form of forced physical labor and sexual exploitation
