{UAH} RAJAB, STOP THIS: Over 200 Ugandan Stranded in Istanbul

Over 200 Ugandan Stranded in Istanbul

Over 200 young Ugandan women and men are reportedly languishing in Istanbul, Turkey after they were allegedly trafficked out of the country with promises of better employment opportunities. The human trafficking victims are reportedly stuck without food and proper accommodation. One of the victims who only identified herself as Joy says that she was lured to go to Turkey with a promise of 600 US dollar job offer and accommodation, which are none existent.

50-year-old Joyce, a mother of 4 says had a booming business in Kampala but was forced to abandon it after she was convinced by her friend. She reportedly forked out 4.5 million shillings for her visa, air ticket and accommodation in Istanbul. According to Joyce, when she arrived in Turkey she was given a job in a factory to pack clothes where she worked for a month but was never paid a penny. She explains while in Turkey she also realized her ticket was one way and is currently stranded.

Joyce, who is a Jehovah Witness, says she has resorted to prayers until something comes across since she has no job. According to Joyce she has been surviving on the little money she traveled with to Turkey, which is running out by the day yet she has no means to returning home. Asked whether there were other Ugandans in Turkey facing similar conditions, Joyce said on average 24 Ugandans mainly girls land in Turkey each week. She explained that many of the girls are forced into prostitution to survive.

According to her their hosts have rented a house for the girls where they demand 200 US Dollars for rent each month, which has left the girls without any option but to join prostitution. She explained that most of the victims are from Busoga region, who were trafficked out the country with the help of some prominent politicians. Joyce says it's even harder for the victims to return home because most of them sold off their personal property to secure the job opportunity in Turkey.

Jacob Siminyu, the spokesperson Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control said he was not aware of Ugandans being trafficked to Turkey but said he couldn't rule out anything at this stage. Uganda Radio Network is still investigating some of the high ranking government officials mentioned in the human trafficking racket. Despite the fact that several companies are licensed to find for Ugandans jobs overseas, the process has been hijacked by criminal gangs who fleece people of millions of shillings and sell them into sex slavery in China, Malaysia and South Africa amongst other countries.

 — with Nsuhakeem Nsubuga.

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower

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