PROSECUTION

The government increased anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts.  The Preventing Trafficking in Persons Act of 2009 criminalized sex trafficking and labor trafficking and prescribed punishments of up to 15 years’ imprisonment for offenses involving adult victims and up to life imprisonment for those involving child victims.  These penalties were sufficiently stringent and, with respect to sex trafficking, commensurate with those prescribed for other serious crimes, such as kidnapping.

The Coordination Office to Prevent Trafficking in Persons (COPTIP) remained responsible for compiling law enforcement data.  COPTIP continued to report “incidents” related to human trafficking, which ranged from simple inquiries to full police investigations; the government did not provide a breakdown of the various categories that made up an incident or how many incidents resulted in full investigations.

 In 2022, the government reported investigating 1,200 incidents of human trafficking, a significant increase compared with 421 incidents in 2021.  Of the 1,200 reported incidents of human trafficking, at least 526 involved exploitation in Uganda and at least 63 involved exploitation abroad; the remaining incidents involved unspecified forms of trafficking.  The government reported initiating prosecutions against 728 alleged traffickers in 589 cases in 2022, compared with prosecuting 537 individuals in 403 cases in 2021.  Of the 589 cases filed, 338 involved sex trafficking, 173 involved labor trafficking, and 78 involved unspecified forms of trafficking; 526 involved exploitation in Uganda and 63 involved exploitation abroad.  

The government withdrew one case due to lack of evidence, while 335 cases remained ongoing at the end of the reporting period; the government reported referring 348 cases to court.  Courts convicted 73 traffickers under the 2009 anti-trafficking act, compared with 30 convictions in 2021.  Of the 73 convictions, courts convicted 42 traffickers for child sex trafficking, six for child labor trafficking, one for child sex and labor trafficking, two for adult sex trafficking, 11 for adult labor trafficking, and 11 for unspecified forms of trafficking.  Courts sentenced the majority of traffickers to significant prison terms; however, courts often sentenced labor traffickers to less significant penalties, including fines in lieu of imprisonment.  Courts also convicted three sex traffickers under the penal code statutes for “defilement” of a child.  Courts acquitted three traffickers for unspecified reasons.

Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remained significant concerns, inhibiting law enforcement action.  Observers reported police officers and immigration officials, particularly at airports and border crossings, accepted bribes to facilitate trafficking crimes or to warn traffickers of impending operations and investigations.  Media and senior government officials reported high-level officials may have owned or been associated with some labor recruitment companies suspected of trafficking.  In 2022, the government investigated seven government officials – including police officers, military officers, and public officials – involved in potential trafficking crimes; all seven cases remained ongoing at the end of the reporting period.  Of the six officials investigated for potential trafficking crimes in 2021, the government referred one official to court for prosecution, dropped cases of two officials due to lack of evidence, and released three officials on bail.