Onyango was tricked into going to Rakai for work by his friends who promised him that the most challenging thing he would have to do would be to dig holes and carry sand. Instead, he was threatened and forced to start working with Malamu gang, who stole from travellers at a certain lodge. Onyango would hide under the bed and then wait for Sanyu to lure the visitor to the room. He and two others would then crawl out and beat the victim and take their rewards back to Mukajanga, the leader of the gang.
Last month, the plan failed. Onyango hid under the bed as usual and waited for the victim to arrive. Unfortunately, this time the victim was a member of the army. He fought off Onyango and his friends and they were arrested. The news has reached Onyango’s family and they want to know if their son will be tried as a criminal.
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?
As a victim of human trafficking himself, the law says that Onyango cannot be prosecuted for the crimes that he has committed because of the trafficking.
Human trafficking happens when a person recruits, transports receives or keeps another person for exploitation (to be used in some way such as forced labour, sexually, as an organ donor or even in prostitution.
If it is proven that Onyango was tricked into going to this gang and forced to become a thief for them, then he may be a victim of trafficking. The law says he should not be prosecuted if this is the case.
Instead, he should be given support through counselling and medical assistance to see that he is rehabilitated.
If you are in Uganda and you suspect that you or anyone you know has been trafficked, please contact any of these numbers and you will be given help. +256800199699 / +256709010853
📷:Unsplash
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