In the heart of East Africa, Uganda boasts a diverse landscape from the lush green expanses of its national parks to the bustling vibrancy of its urban centres. Often described as the ‘Pearl of Africa’, this beautiful country is not without its challenges.
Unequal healthcare access, insufficient educational opportunities, constrained political freedoms and human rights, alongside persistent gender disparities in education, employment and representation – these all prevent many from fully experiencing the richness of life. Additionally, the growing youth population and the lack of sufficient job opportunities have led to high rates of youth unemployment.
Human trafficking has also been identified as a key threat, with research suggesting that Uganda is a source, transit and destination for men, women and children.
Traffickers particularly target young people, and do so either in person, through word of mouth or via social media. Generally, young men are offered work in the Ugandan and Kenyan agricultural sector, whilst women and girls are trafficked for domestic servitude both internally and across international borders.
In response, The Salvation Army’s Uganda Territory is running a project focused on raising awareness, strengthening community capacity and supporting survivors. The project has focused on five towns along the Kenyan border which have been identified as trafficking hotspots in which young people are particularly vulnerable.
These communities were also chosen because The Salvation Army has an existing presence there. The trust that the community has in The Salvation Army as a local faith organisation, combined with existing knowledge and links with local stakeholders, have been great assets in the project.
Through the project, 20 champions were identified to help raise awareness locally and mobilise communities to respond creatively to the risks of trafficking. As a result, 20 community savings groups have been established to enhance economic stability and community cohesion. Young people have formed their own groups which have generally taken the form of sports teams in line with their interests.
Clinton, who is one of the young people involved in the project, shared his story:
‘In 2020, a friend told me he had a connection and could get me a job in Kenya. The next day I crossed the river border into Kenya and started working on a construction site. The work involved offloading cement from a lorry and carrying it to the site. It was hard work and at the end of the day we would get paid 150 Kenyan shillings (KSH).
I stayed with some of my co-workers. We used the little money we received to pay rent. One very hot day, we went to buy some cold water and the manager immediately came and asked why we were not working. He chased us away, and whilst I was running I fell to the floor. I touched my lip and saw blood and realised that I had lost one of my teeth. We struggled from then on. It was hard to find enough money to buy food to eat and pay rent. One day I met a man in town who was seeking someone to look after the cattle at his home. I quickly accepted the job.
He said I would receive three meals each day and 5,000KSH per month. However, later he told me I should be preparing my own food and paying 3,000KSH in rent. He made a note of the food I ate, and at the end of the month gave me only 100KSH. He said I owed him.
Over time I thought of going home, but I had no transport, and my employer had taken my phone. I often thought to myself, “I wish I had stayed home, and I wish I had a way to get home.”
One day I was boiling water to prepare lunch, and my boss told me to come to him. I replied that I was making lunch and would be on my way. As I was leaving, I met him at the door and he pushed me back into the room. I told him I was on my way. In response he slapped me and said I was disrespectful. He grabbed the boiling water and poured it on my shoulder and hand.
I went to the neighbours and used their phone to call my parents. I told them I was in pain and needed help. They said they had no money to send, but they would see what they could do.
My parents asked their pastor for help and managed to arrange transport for me back to Uganda. When I reached home, I learnt that the money had come from The Salvation Army anti-trafficking project. When the staff visited me, they saw that I was seriously injured. They took me to hospital and supported my recovery.
As I continued in my recovery, I joined the project and have learnt more about human trafficking.’
Clinton and his friends, who play football together, have formed a savings group with Clinton being elected chairman.
‘Together, we save money and can borrow from the treasury to boost our business, or to help if we have issues.
We are also supported by a champion. He mobilises us and teaches us a lot. We now look out for our friends, and if we hear that anyone is looking to cross the border for work, we speak up. This group has helped me and my friends. I realise how dangerous human trafficking is in my community so I keep talking to my friends about it.’
Football continues to be an important part of the group.
‘After we meet, we always get together to play football. This means we avoid the things in the community that could get us into trouble. We have no time for this because after football we just go home, shower and rest.
Alongside football we continue saving together and decide together how to use the money in the treasury. Recently we decided to grow spinach and sell it at the market. This way each of us in the group can get a little money. We take some of the profits for the treasury so this pot grows. Then if one of us has a challenge, we can use a bit of the money to help solve their problem.
If we have any issue, we can talk to the group. We support one another as friends here.’
The story of human trafficking does not end when a person returns home. For survivors, the journey of recovery continues. This is why follow-up care and counselling are essential parts of the project. Clinton’s story of recovery is a great example of this and his enthusiasm to support others is inspiring.
