Police in Wakiso District are investigating a suspected recruitment scam after rescuing 24 young people believed to have been confined in rented rooms under unclear circumstances.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala, the operation was launched after intelligence reports indicated that several youths were being held at Kikookiro-Kapeke Village in Kisimbiri Parish, Wakiso Town Council.
“At about 10:00 p.m. on 29 May 2026, we received information from a reliable source indicating that a group of young men and women were being confined in rented rooms in the area,” Kawala said.
Police conducted an operation the following morning, 30 May 2026 at around 7:00 a.m., where officers found the victims housed in separate rooms for males and females.
“A police operation was conducted in the area, leading to the rescue of the youths who were found confined in rented rooms,” she added.
Preliminary accounts indicate that the victims, aged between 18 and 26 years, were drawn from multiple districts including Kasese, Kagadi, Arua, Kakumiro, Fort Portal, Koboko and Lyantonde.
“They alleged that they had been recruited and brought to the area to engage in the marketing of herbal medicine,” Kawala said.
However, police said no herbal medicine products were recovered during the operation, raising further questions about the nature of the alleged recruitment.
A total of 25 individuals were found at the premises, including 13 females, 11 males and one man believed to be acting as their supervisor.
The suspect, identified as Edwin Gulu, a resident of Kasese District, is currently in police custody as investigations continue.
“All rescued victims have been taken to Wakiso Police Station for further management and support,” Kawala said.
She noted that inquiries are ongoing to establish whether the incident involved trafficking, forced labour, or a coordinated recruitment scheme targeting young people under false pretences.
