In a harrowing but heroic turn of events, 22 Ugandan children, some as young as four, were rescued at the Busia border as traffickers attempted to smuggle them into Kenya under the guise of offering “free education.” The traffickers, shockingly, included teachers, trusted figures who manipulated vulnerable families in Kampala and Wakiso with false promises of opportunity.

Thanks to swift action by Ugandan and Kenyan authorities, the children were intercepted before crossing into a life of uncertainty, exploitation, or worse. They are now safe and reunited with family. But many questions remain, how many others have slipped through? How many parents, desperate for a better life for their children, might fall victim to similar schemes?

This rescue underscores a painful truth: traffickers prey on trust, poverty, and silence. That is why awareness is not optional, it is lifesaving.

Children are not bargaining chips or cargo to be traded. They are dreamers, learners, and future leaders. Every child deserves protection, not deception. It is our collective responsibility as parents, caregivers, educators, local leaders and civil society organizations to remain vigilant. Parents must question too-good-to-be-true offers, verify the identities and intentions of those claiming to “help,” and never entrust their children to strangers without full clarity.

At the Center on Anti-Trafficking Research and Empowerment (CATRE), we go beyond research to raise awareness, educate communities, and design trauma-informed interventions. This incident fuels our mission to build a Uganda where every child is safe, informed, and protected. Through advocacy, community sensitization, and evidence-based programming, CATRE is committed to preventing trafficking before it begins.

Watch the news footage: 22 Children Rescued from Traffickers in Busia, Kenya