Human Trafficking I recently had the privilege of representing the Provincial Superior at the launch of the research book Human Trafficking: A Threat to Society at the John Paul II Justice and Peace Center. The book, authored by Alfred Avuni, Fr. James Moro, S.J., and Dr. Lumumba Bwire sheds urgent light on the pervasive issue …
Human Trafficking
I recently had the privilege of representing the Provincial Superior at the launch of the research book Human Trafficking: A Threat to Society at the John Paul II Justice and Peace Center. The book, authored by Alfred Avuni, Fr. James Moro, S.J., and Dr. Lumumba Bwire sheds urgent light on the pervasive issue of human trafficking in Uganda and beyond.
As members of the Congregation of Holy Cross in East Africa, we cannot ignore the challenges faced by the communities we serve. Human trafficking—modern-day slavery—is a shocking and deeply disturbing reality that devastates individuals, families, and societies. Many young girls, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds, are trafficked to Arab countries, where they are subjected to degrading and inhumane treatment, as highlighted in both the research findings and the personal testimonies of survivors.
Researchers and survivors alike are calling on the Church to take a more proactive role in raising awareness and educating its congregations and the wider community about this critical issue. Human trafficking poses a grave threat to East African society, with far-reaching social, moral, and economic consequences. Kenya and Uganda, in particular, have become source, transit, and destination points for trafficking networks that prey on the most vulnerable.
Traffickers often lure victims with false promises of well-paying jobs, only to exploit them through forced labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of abuse. As pastors and ministers of God’s Word, we have a responsibility to leverage the platforms entrusted to us to fight against this vice. As religious men and women, we hold unique opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the struggle for justice and human dignity.
The plight of those who seek employment in high-risk countries is especially tragic. Many faces delayed or unfair compensation, financial mismanagement by relatives or partners, and upon return, they often struggle with trauma, poor mental health, physical injuries, and social stigma. The stories of survivors are heartbreaking. One young girl, for instance, was thrown from a third floor building in Saudi Arabia, suffering a spinal cord injury that left her permanently disabled. Sadly, she is just one of many victims who endure unimaginable suffering.
Addressing human trafficking requires collective action. Governments, churches, and civil society must work together to strengthen laws, ensure effective prosecution of traffickers, and provide comprehensive support for victims. Practical initiatives could include creating a centralized online database to track cases, forming partnerships with organizations such as St Bakita Rescue Centre run by Sisters of the Holy Cross, and expanding protective services for survivors. Yet, beyond enforcement, it is crucial to address root causes like poverty and unemployment that make individuals vulnerable in the first place.
Through public sensitization, improved digital services, and coordinated efforts to dismantle trafficking networks, both the Church and our governments can play a decisive role in reducing this heinous crime. Now is the time to act—together—to protect the dignity of every person and to restore hope to those who have been robbed of it by traffickers.
As the Congregation of Holy Cross, Province of East Africa, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with the victims of human trafficking and to amplify their cries for justice. We will continue to use our schools, parishes, formation houses, and social ministries as platforms for awareness, advocacy, and protection. We pledge to work with Church leaders, governments, and civil society partners to confront this evil, to support survivors in rebuilding their lives, and to address the root causes of vulnerability.
In the spirit of our founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, who called us to be “men with hope to bring,” we will not remain silent in the face of such suffering. Together, let us build a society where every human being is valued, protected, and free.
By: Rev. Fr. John Mwesige Akiiki, C.S.C
