The Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) recently organised a National Prayer Day and Awareness Campaign Against Human Trafficking in Uganda. The event, held at Sharing Youth Centre in Nsambya, brought together religious leaders, government representatives, organisations, and survivors to strengthen collective efforts towards ending human trafficking. The conference aimed to express solidarity with survivors who have endured trauma and exploitation.
The National Prayer Day was graced by the Archbishop of Kampala, His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, alongside the Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Msgr. John Baptist Kauta. The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Henry Tumukunde, was the Chief Guest. Archbishop Ssemogerere called for intensified public awareness campaigns to educate young people and the wider public about the tactics used by human traffickers.
Archbishop Ssemogerere emphasised the need to equip young people with practical skills, employment opportunities, and start-up capital to enable them to establish sustainable livelihoods. He noted that the youth remain among the most vulnerable to human trafficking. The Archbishop also appealed to the government to explore all possible measures to combat both internal and external human trafficking.
Minister Henry Tumukunde identified unemployment and poverty as major factors driving human trafficking in Uganda. He noted that many young people, desperate for employment opportunities, are lured into seeking jobs abroad, only to end up facing suffering, exploitation, and abuse. The Minister revealed that his ministry is restructuring its systems to strengthen the monitoring, screening, and accreditation of labour-exporting companies.
The National Director of Lay Apostolate, Fr. Fredrick Tusingire, described the National Prayer Day as an important platform for reminding individuals and communities about the dangers of human trafficking. He called for stronger collaboration between government, development partners, religious institutions, and other leaders to promote public awareness and commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.
Survivors of human trafficking shared their painful testimonies, recounting how they were lured into the hands of traffickers and subjected to various forms of exploitation. Their accounts highlighted horrific experiences, including sexual exploitation, forced and hard labour, and being compelled to work for days without rest. The testimonies served as a powerful reminder of the devastating human cost of trafficking.
The National Prayer Day reaffirmed the Uganda Episcopal Conference’s commitment to working with government, religious institutions, civil society organisations, and communities to promote human dignity, protect vulnerable people, and strengthen the fight against human trafficking in Uganda. The event was held under the theme “Peace Begins with Dignity: A Global Call to End Human Trafficking.”
Key points
- The Uganda Episcopal Conference organised a National Prayer Day to raise awareness against human trafficking.
- The event aimed to express solidarity with survivors and promote collective responsibility among government institutions, religious leaders, families, and communities.
- The conference called for intensified public awareness campaigns, practical skills, and employment opportunities to equip young people and combat human trafficking.
