MBALE, UGANDA – Police in Mbale City have arrested a 37-year-old man, identified only as Derrick, a resident of Namatala ward in Industrial City Division, over allegations of recruiting more than 20 underage children for illegal activities.
According to Jimmy Nambiro, the Assistant Resident City Commissioner (ARCC) for Industrial City Division, parents raised the alarm after Derrick allegedly lured their children with promises of lucrative construction jobs in Soroti City.
Nambiro, who led the arrest, revealed that Derrick had offered each child UGX 100,000 (approximately $27) last Saturday, convincing them to travel for work. However, instead of taking them to Soroti as promised, the children were reportedly transported to an undisclosed location, raising fears among their families.
One of the affected parents, Geoffrey Wabwire, said his son—a Senior Three student at Mbale Secondary School,was taken without his knowledge.
"My son called me later and said he was going for military training in Kidepo National Park," Wabwire disclosed, expressing shock and concern over his child’s whereabouts.
Another distressed parent, Justine Bulieli , urged authorities to not only prosecute Derrick but also track down the person who took the children.
"We want our children back safely. The police must find out who is behind this and where our children were taken," Bulieli demanded.
Rogers Taitika , the Elgon Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed Derrick’s arrest but said he would provide a detailed statement after receiving a full briefing on the case.
By press time, Derrick was still detained at Namatala Police Station, as investigations continued.
This incident has sparked outrage in Mbale, with local leaders warning parents to be vigilant against child trafficking and illegal recruitment schemes.
Nambiro cautioned the public against falling for deceptive job offers, especially those targeting minors. "Parents must verify any employment opportunities offered to their children to prevent such incidents,"* he advised.
