Uganda recorded a 6.85 percent decline in human trafficking cases reported to law enforcement in 2025, according to a new report by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The National Report on Countering Trafficking in Persons in Uganda, released on July 30 in Kampala during the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, indicates that reported cases decreased from 1,068 in 2024 to 1,002 in 2025.
The report, compiled by the Coordination Office for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (COPTIP) in collaboration with partner Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), highlights evolving trends in trafficking patterns, prosecution efforts, and victim demographics across the country.
A decade-long trend
The 2025 decline follows a volatile decade of reported trafficking statistics in Uganda. Police records show that 125 cases were registered in 2016, rising to 177 in 2017 and 286 in 2018, before dipping to 252 in 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic period saw a sharp drop to 21 reported cases in 2020, followed by a surge to 421 in 2021 and a historic peak of 1,200 cases in 2022. The numbers stabilized slightly at 1,006 cases in 2023 before the recent downturn.
Despite the marginal drop in 2025, officials caution against assuming the crime rate is declining.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. David Basalirwa, the Deputy National Coordinator of the Coordination Office for Countering Trafficking in Persons, noted that numbers can be deceptive.
‘The decrease does not necessarily mean that trafficking cases are reducing,’ Mr. Basalirwa explained. ‘In fact, it may mean that the public is now better equipped to detect them, identify traffickers, and avoid falling victim to trafficking schemes.’
Children and domestic exploitation dominate
Of the 1,002 cases reported to police in 2025, child trafficking accounted for more than half of all offences. A total of 555 cases (55.38 percent) involved children, while adult human trafficking accounted for 447 cases (44.61 percent).
A breakdown of victim demographics shows that a total of 1,272 victims were identified and registered in 2025. Under child trafficking, 618 juvenile victims were rescued-comprising 479 female juveniles and 139 male juveniles-underscoring that young girls remain the most vulnerable demographic.
Among adult victims, 654 individuals were registered, including 344 males and 310 females.
Data from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) reveals that domestic trafficking remains the primary threat, outstripping cross-border operations. Out of 1,042 total files registered by the ODPP in 2025, domestic cases accounted for 1,019 (over 97 percent), while transnational trafficking accounted for just 23 cases (slightly over 2 percent).
This mirrors 2024 trends, where 941 of 966 cases (97 percent) were domestic, and continues a multi-year trend of high domestic exploitation compared to 2022, when transnational cases reached a high of 10 percent (63 out of 589 cases).
Monthly records show that trafficking registrations peaked in January 2025 with 100 cases (58 child and 42 adult cases), followed closely by July (97 cases), and March and October (92 cases each). Reported incidents dropped to their lowest point in December with 61 cases.
Prosecutions and conviction record
Out of the 1,002 cases reported to the police in 2025, 393 were prosecuted in court. This yielded 42 convictions, 5 acquittals, and 21 dismissals, while 335 cases remain pending in court.
Mr. Basalirwa highlighted the 42 successful convictions secured by the ODPP as a major breakthrough for regional justice efforts.
‘This is the highest number of convictions when it comes to trafficking in persons in the region-an indication that multi-stakeholder engagements in addressing trafficking in persons are yielding tangible achievements,’ he said.
Technology as a new frontier
Stakeholders at the event warned that human traffickers are increasingly moving away from physical coercion to digital exploitation.
Mr. Damon Wamara, Board Chairperson of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons in Uganda (CATIPU), cautioned that digital platforms have become primary recruitment grounds.
‘Technology is an enabler of this crime,’ Wamara warned. ‘Traffickers are no longer operating in the shadows or coming with physical chains. Instead, they recruit openly through online platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.’
Officiating as the Chief Guest, Cabinet Minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu likened modern human trafficking to historical atrocities.
‘As I listen to the presentations and the testimonies given by survivors, it reminds me of the slave trade,’ Prof. Kamuntu said. ‘Human trafficking is not merely a criminal offence; it is a serious violation of human dignity and fundamental human rights that demands our collective effort.’
Prof. Kamuntu expressed deep government concern over online recruitment scams targeting young Ugandans for forced labor and sexual exploitation abroad, committing to stronger border control, enhanced investigations, and international bilateral cooperation.
Five-year strategy launched
To counter the evolving threat, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Chairperson of the National Task Force on Combating Trafficking in Persons, Lt. Gen. Joseph Musanyufu, announced a new five-year strategic intervention.
Lt. Gen. Musanyufu noted that the newly launched National Action Plan (2026-2031) will establish a comprehensive roadmap focusing on prevention, victim protection, prosecution of perpetrators, and multi-agency partnerships.
This year’s commemoration was held under the theme: ‘Trapped behind the scam: Strengthening Governance, Digital Innovation and Partnerships to Prevent Human Trafficking.’