The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Bill was presented before the 8th Parliament for the third reading by the Chair of the Sessional Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs Hon. Matthias Kasamba and Hon. Winnie Matsiko. It was passed on 2nd April 2009.

The objectives of the Bill are:

§ To combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP) a contemporary manifestation of modern day slavery whose victims are predominantly women and children.

§ To provide legislation necessary for criminalizing the offence of Trafficking in Persons and prosecution of offenders.

§ It also aims at providing measures for prevention and suppression of the Trafficking in Persons Offence.

§ It also provides for protection, assistance and support to victims of Trafficking in persons with full respect of their human rights and to promote cooperation amongst countries in combating trafficking in persons.

§ This Bill comes in amidst of growing concerns about the gradual increase in the number of men; women and children trafficked within and outside Uganda and increased cases of Human Sacrifice. Global estimates indicate that approximately two million persons are trafficked per year of which 1.2 million are children.

This Bill will deal with those who organize human sacrifice, those involved in facilitating the process of getting people for sacrifice and those who make the preparation. This Bill creates an independent provision which deals specifically with children. And read as follows:

A person who commits an offence of trafficking in children who;

-Uses a child in any armed conflict

-Removes any part organ or tissue from the body of a child taken alive

-Uses a child in a commission of a crime

-Abandons a child outside

-Uses a child or part of a child in witchcraft rituals or related practices.

The offender commits the offence of aggravated trafficking in children and shall be liable to imprisonment for life

UWOPA recognizes the contributions of the different partners towards the success of this Bill.

-The Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs especially the chairperson Hon. Kasamba Mathias

-Civil Society Organisations

-Law and Advocacy for Women in Uganda

-The Drafters of the Bill

-Hon. Dora Byamukama

-Ms. Damalie Lwanga of DPP

-Hon. Ben Wacha

-His Worship Othembi Nigel

-Jill Thompson

-International Labour Organisation

-Uganda Women Parliamentarians especially members of the round table on TIP

-UWOPA Secretariat under the leadership of Ms. Kyatuheire Jill Kesha

-Planning Development and Coordination office in Parliament under the leadership of Mr. Okumu Dison

-The Parliamentary Legislative services under the leadership of the director Mr. Biribonwoha Pius

-The Parliament of Uganda as an institution

-The office of the Speaker to Parliament

-The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga

-The Ministry Of Internal Affairs especially Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda and the PS

-The Ministry of Finance, Development and Economic Planning

-International Organisation of Migration (Allia Hirji)

-The American Embassy - Especially Ms. Katheleen FitzGibbon

-American Bar Association

-Uganda Youth development Link

-UNFRI

-AWEPA

-The Media

The passed bill can be accessed from UWOPA Offices.

Contact:
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Monicah Amoding
Policy and Communications Officer
Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA)
P.O.Box 7178 Kampala
Tel: 256-41-4378804/256-77-2677121
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