UGX 1.5M Job Scam Exposed as Police Rescue 823 From Alleged Traffickers

Security operatives in Mbarara City conducted one of the region’s largest human-trafficking interceptions in recent years, after stopping 823 suspected victims of trafficking during a dramatic, intelligence-led operation on Saturday night.

The operation, which unfolded under the cover of darkness, saw officers at the Biharwe Police checkpoint act on timely intelligence that several buses transporting unusually large groups of passengers were moving under suspicious circumstances.

Rwizi Region Police spokesperson SP Samson Kasasira confirmed that the joint security operation took place on November 21, 2025, when officers stopped 10 buses belonging to Tausi Coaches, KR Coaches, Bapakasi Buses, Jamah Express and Savannah Bus.

According to Kasasira, the buses were intercepted at around midnight in a coordinated sweep before being escorted under police guard to Mbarara Central Police Station, where all the vehicles were impounded for further investigations.

Preliminary police findings revealed that the passengers included 441 males and 382 females. They had allegedly been mobilised by agents of Alliance in Motion Global from various districts across the country under the false promise of securing them jobs in Mbarara City. Each individual had reportedly paid up to UGX 1.5 million to secure the supposed employment opportunity.

However, further police intelligence suggested a completely different scenario. Investigators discovered that the group was actually headed to Kampala City, and their true destination was Freedom City, where they were expected to attend the company’s annual meeting scheduled for November 22, 2025. This contradicted what the individuals had been told and raised serious concerns about deception and potential exploitation.

Kasasira said the victims were profiled, cautioned and later released to return to their respective homes as investigations continue into the suspected trafficking scheme and the activities of the alleged recruiters.

Police have not yet announced any arrests, but security agencies say inquiries are underway to identify and apprehend the agents behind the mass mobilisation. Authorities emphasize that ongoing investigations aim to uncover the full extent of the scheme and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The large-scale interception has sparked widespread discussion in the region, with growing calls for tighter regulation of recruitment agents and more scrutiny of organisations that mobilise large groups under unclear or misleading circumstances. As the investigation deepens, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics of trafficking networks and the need for increased public vigilance.