In 2021, a compelling documentary was released that exposed the harsh reality of child trafficking in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic. It followed the lives of children pulled into exploitation under the guise of help, employment, or education, as families struggled to survive lockdowns, economic strain, and school closures. At the time, it was a wake-up call.
Four years later, the conditions that made children vulnerable then remain deeply entrenched today.
Across Kampala’s informal settlements like Katwe, Kisenyi, Nansana, and Bwaise, many children are still trapped in cycles of exploitation. Despite the end of the pandemic, its social and economic impacts linger, especially in the poorest households. Children from economically vulnerable families continue to face risks of internal trafficking, lured by false promises and informal “guardianship” arrangements that often turn abusive.
At CATRE, we have documented recent cases that mirror those depicted in the 2021 documentary. One such case is Sarah (name changed), a the 16-year-old girl trafficked from Namuwongo to a home in Ntinda, Kampala. Her aunt believed she was going for school. Instead, she was forced into unpaid domestic labor, subjected to violence, and kept in isolation. Her rescue was made possible by a vigilant neighbor and a partner community organization.
These stories are not isolated.
Many trafficked children are never forcibly taken, they are handed over with trust. A family friend. A distant relative. A religious figure. The lines between caregiving and exploitation blur in the absence of clear regulation and protection mechanisms.
The 2021 documentary remains disturbingly relevant. It is not just a record of what happened during a global crisis, it is a mirror of Uganda’s ongoing child protection failures. At CATRE, we believe it should be watched, discussed, and used as a tool to spark renewed urgency in addressing child trafficking today.
We urge policy actors, educators, community leaders, and the general public to revisit the documentary and recognize the continuity of this crisis. Child trafficking is not a problem of the past. It is a present danger, one that requires collective vigilance and systemic change.
Watch the 2021 Documentary on Child Trafficking in Uganda
Published during the COVID-19 pandemic, still relevant today.