Police arrest school director, five others over child trafficking

Soroti, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Police in Soroti City have arrested the proprietor of Atiira Victory Nursery and Primary School in Serere district over alleged child trafficking. Lazarus Okol, 28, was arrested with five others for allegedly trafficking eleven children to an unknown destination.

The other suspects are Joshua Ekweru, 24, resident of Angora Village, Esther Among, 27, resident of Alere Village and Richard Otim, 39, resident of Opuritok Village- all in Katine Sub County in Soroti district; Simon Otim, 46, resident of Odokai village in Atiira- Serere district and Teddy Atel, 27, resident of Apoli Village in Kuju Sub County, Amuria district.

The group was picked up from Pamba ward, Soroti City on Friday, September 20, 2024, after a tip-off from members of the community. The East Kyoga Regional Police Spokesman, Edison Obukulem says that the matter was reported by one of the vigilant residents who saw the unusual conduct of the suspects while attending to the children.

He notes that the community became more concerned when one of the suspects, Esther Among started beating the hostages, drawing the attention of the onlookers. According to Obukulem, the group claims to have picked up the children for an education sponsorship, its details are yet to be revealed.

The minors, including four girls, are aged between 1- 15 years.  By the time of filing this story, the police officers were still interrogating the suspects at the East Kyoga Regional Police Headquarters for more information. The case of child trafficking has been opened under CRB 246/2024.

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