Police in Nansana have rescued more than 30 youths who were allegedly lured into Kampala with false promises of employment by a company identified as Globel Alliance.
The operation was conducted by officers from the Uganda Police Force in Nansana led by Division Police Commander Morris Niyonzima together with Nansana Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Charles Lwanga. The youths are currently being held at Lubigi Police Station as investigations continue.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala, the youths were rescued during a police operation after authorities received reports about suspicious recruitment activities in the area.
"Police arrested over 30 youths during an operation in Nansana after they were allegedly gathered in a house under the pretense of being offered jobs," Kawala said.
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The youths, many of whom had travelled from different districts across the country, told police and journalists that they had been contacted through phone calls promising lucrative employment opportunities in Kampala.
One of the victims, 22-year-old Deo Lubega from Kajjansi, said recruits were initially asked to pay Shs15,000 before later being told to raise Shs1.5 million.
"They called us and promised us jobs. We were told to pay some money first and later more fees would follow. We believed we were going to work," Lubega said.
Christine Nankoma, 19, from Bukoloto in Kayunga District, claimed that both male and female recruits were being accommodated together in one house as they waited for the promised jobs.
"They kept both boys and girls in the same house as we waited for the jobs," she said.
Another victim, Emmanuel Biyinzika, 22, from Mayuge District, said he had only arrived in Kampala the previous evening after receiving a phone call offering him employment.
"I came because I needed a job. I did not know it was a trap," Biyinzika told reporters while pleading for forgiveness.
Others rescued included Maria Muhammad, 20, from Busiika in Luwero District, and Nakimuli Shaniter, 20, a recent Senior Six graduate who had travelled to Kampala hoping to secure work.
Speaking during the operation, RDC Charles Lwanga said authorities acted after receiving reports from parents whose children had disappeared from home after allegedly being promised jobs in Kampala.
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"We were informed that many youths were disappearing from their homes after being lured with fake job offers. We acted quickly and managed to rescue them," Lwanga said.
He urged parents to closely monitor their children and warned landlords against renting houses to suspicious groups involved in fraudulent activities.
"Some landlords hide criminals by renting them houses without knowing what they are doing inside. We are going to arrest and prosecute anyone found aiding such schemes," he warned.
Local leaders from areas including Gganda-Kyebando and Katooke in Nansana also condemned the alleged scam.
Gganda local leader Kalungi Mathew Mutaisa commended security agencies for intervening before the situation worsened.
"These youths could have ended up being trafficked, exploited, or sold into slavery. We thank the security agencies for rescuing them," Mutaisa said.
Residents also called on police to take firm action against those behind the alleged fake recruitment network to prevent more youths from falling victim.
Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala said statements would be recorded from the suspects before they are arraigned in court on charges related to obtaining money by false pretence.
