Police have arrested a suspect linked to a suspected human trafficking case after rescuing 24 young people who were allegedly being kept in rented accommodation during an intelligence-led operation in Wakiso Town Council.
The operation was carried out by Kampala Metropolitan Police following information received on May 29, 2026, at about 10:00pm that several youths were being held under questionable circumstances in Kikookiro-Kapeke Village, Kisimbiri Parish.
Acting on the tip-off, police officers raided the premises on May 30, 2026, at approximately 7:00am. During the operation, they found 25 individuals inside the building, comprising 13 women, 11 men and one male believed to be overseeing the group.
Twenty-four of those found at the premises were rescued and are being treated as potential victims of human trafficking, while one suspect was taken into custody.
The victims, aged between 18 and 26 years, are reported to have come from various districts across the country, including Kasese, Lyantonde, Kagadi, Arua, Kakumiro, Fort Portal and Koboko.
Initial investigations suggest that the youths had been recruited from different regions and transported to Wakiso with promises of employment involving the marketing of herbal products.
However, officers reported that no herbal medicines or materials connected to such a business were recovered during the search of the premises.
The suspect, identified as John Edwin Gulu, a resident of Kasese District, remains in police custody as investigators probe possible trafficking and exploitation activities.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala confirmed the rescue operation and subsequent arrest, noting that the action was based on intelligence gathered by security agencies.
“Police received credible information that youths were being held in rented rooms under suspicious conditions. A swift operation was conducted, leading to the rescue of 24 victims and the arrest of one suspect. Investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and whether this is part of a wider trafficking network,” Kawala said.
Police said all the rescued individuals have since been transferred to Wakiso Police Station for profiling, support services and further inquiries as detectives continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the case and possible links to organised trafficking networks.
