HOIMA – Security operatives in Hoima are holding Deo Kivumbi, 30 in connection with an alleged trafficking of 16 children. The suspect is a resident of Kasubi Cell, Rubaga Division in Kampala.
Kivumbi was arrested on Wednesday from Kiryatete, a suburb of Hoima City after he was found with children that included five boys and 11 girls aged between six and 17 years.
The children were reportedly picked from Nasaana, Kasubi, Kiboga, Kyengera, Kawaala, Kalerwe, and other parts of Kampala. The children were found sharing a single room, which Kivumbi rented in Kiryatete.
Trouble for Kivumbi came after Everce Munguriek, the Kikuube district workers’ representative found the children under the care of Kivumbi entertaining a group of people that had gathered at Kiryatete.
Munguriek said that she became suspicious and tasked Kivumbi to provide documents authorising him to take care of all the 16 children in vain. She immediately alerted security who arrested Kivumbi as the children were rescued.
Kivumbi said that the children’s parents had allowed him to stay with them and perform in different parts of the country to collect money meant for their school fees for next year.
William Kasigazi – the Hoima deputy City Resident Commissioner, in charge of Hoima West Division said that when the minors were interrogated, they revealed that the money collected from entertainment, handing the same, over to Kivumbi.
He noted that a medical examination will be conducted on all the children as part of the investigation as well as liaise with the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development to reunite the children with their parents.
Kasigazi said that the suspect who has been handed over to police will be charged with human trafficking.
The children are currently being kept at the child and family protection unit of Hoima city central police station.
Additional reporting by URN
