By Sylvia
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has revealed that Rwenzori West has registered 48% human trafficking cases, placing it 10th countrywide.
According to Rukuna Memory from the ministry, the region, which comprises Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Ntoroko, Bunyangabu, Kyegegwa Fort Portal, Kabarole and Kitagwenda, recorded 48% cases last year. Kyegegwa came top with 23%, followed by Kamwenge with 20% cases.
He says many of the cases involve people who use porous borders into other countries, which has resulted in deaths and injuries. He adds that youths and girls are the most affected because they are unemployed.
Rukuna says the ministry is finding it hard to trace perpetrators who use porous borders, and some trafficked persons do not report their cases.
However, he says the ministry has arrested some perpetrators and some companies operating illegally.
Rukuna, urges the public to report any form of human trafficking to police or local authorities, including labour exploitation, sexual exploitation and modern slavery.