Six Ugandans who had been held captive by human traffickers in scam centers in Myanmar have finally returned home after enduring a distressing 13-month ordeal.
The group landed at Entebbe International Airport on March 9, 2025, where they were welcomed by officials from Hope Cry International (HCI) Uganda.
Their safe return was facilitated through a collaborative effort between Uganda’s Embassy in Thailand and Hope Cry International, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of human trafficking worldwide.
Ms. Bigombe, an advocate against human trafficking, urged the government to intensify its fight against the crime, emphasizing that many Ugandans are deceived into working in online scam centers in Myanmar, only to end up suffering.
“Human trafficking in Uganda is rampant, with numerous agents operating across the country. Every day, more Ugandans fall victim to these schemes,” she stated.
She also called for rehabilitation programs to help the returnees recover from their traumatic experiences and provide them with financial support to rebuild their lives.
“The government must treat human trafficking as a security concern,” she stressed. “Victims are trained to steal and scam, and upon returning to Uganda, they have no sustainable source of income. If not properly rehabilitated, they may resort to the skills they were forced to learn, posing a risk to society.”
Ms. Bigombe further revealed that an additional group of about 40 Ugandans had been rescued from similar scam centers in Myanmar, with efforts underway to facilitate their return.
For security reasons, the names of the six returnees have not been disclosed.
The issue of Ugandans falling prey to human trafficking in Myanmar gained significant attention in 2023. Many victims are deceived by false promises of well-paying jobs in Thailand, Cambodia, and China, only to be trafficked to Myanmar. There they are subjected to forced labor in online scamming operations run by criminal syndicates.
