At least 17 children aboard a Gateway Bus that was trafficking them to unknown destination from Karamoja have been rescued by the Police in Napak district.
Officers intercepted the bus registration number UAY 205 U on Sunday morning with 17 children on board destined for an unknown destination.
The development comes barely a week, after police impounded a taxi registration number UBJ 438J smuggling eleven children from Karamoja to Kampala. The vehicle was intercepted by Security at the same checkpoint where the bus was intercepted.
According to Guard Murungi the Napak District Police Commander, they also arrested the driver and conductor of the bus, saying they will appear in court today.
Murungi noted that the children are teenagers between 12 to 15 years. "We are not taking child trafficking as something lightly, “he said.
Ms Esther Munyesi, the Senior Napak District Community Development Officer in charge of gender says child trafficking has continued despite several steps put in place by the district to stop the vice.
She noted that between March to June 2020, 347 cases were recorded, adding that between 30 to 40 girls are trafficked every month. Munyesi appeals to the police to ensure that the parents of the affected children should also be arrested to face the same charges.
