Kampala- Suspected rebel contacts in Kampala are trafficking Ugandans promising them $3,000 (Shs7.5m) for jobs each per month in Democratic Republic of Congo but end up in camps to be trained as rebels.

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But police have arrested one Ugandan national for allegedly trafficking Ugandans to DRC into unnamed rebel group in DRC using the same tricks.

The suspect, a resident of Nakigala, Wakiso District, was arrested in Bunagana at the Uganda-DRC border after he allegedly duped 12 Ugandans from the central region to travel to DRC with a hope of getting better paying jobs but only to be detained.

The police spokesperson, Ms Judith Nabakooba, said the suspect is currently in their detention centre and he is expected to be produced in court today (Thursday).

Suspects arrested
“The 12 suspected victims have also been rescued. They told us that each was promised U$3,000 per month but when they entered DRC, their mobile phones confiscated and money taken. They said they were to travel to a camp in DRC before they were rescued,” Ms Nabakooba said yesterday.

Bunagana border on the DRC side is under the control of the Congolese rebels M23, but other groups fighting Rwanda and Uganda still have camps.

The DRC is also home to several rebels groups including the Allied Democratic Forces and the Lord’s Resistance Army fighting Uganda government.

Ms Nabakooba said it was the intelligence that informed the police of a big group moving into DRC on Saturday that led to an investigation and arrest of the man, now being treated as principal suspect. He was arrested on Tuesday.

Recently, security agencies rescued hundreds of children from Busoga region who were allegedly trafficked to DRC to be training in armed rebellion in the ADF ranks.

Victims reunited with families
Security agencies reunited the rescued children with their families in Busoga region.
Just two days earlier, the MP for Kibuku County, Mr Saleh Kamba, said intelligence reports revealed that about 400 youth across the districts of Budaka, Kibuku and Pallisa have been lured into joining rebel groups.

“I should strongly warn the youth who dares to join such groups-rebel for severe consequences because UPDF is capable of salvaging any form of rebel activities and especially when dealing with such armed groups be it my father or relative, we [Government] would not hesitate to kill you,” Mr Kamba said.
Additional reporting by

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