Geita residents warned against involvement in human trafficking

GEITA: THE community in Geita Region has been urged to remain vigilant against the threat of human trafficking allegedly carried out through deceptive job offers and the recruitment of young children, particularly girls.

The warning was issued during a special workshop for security and defense stakeholders held in Geita town recently under the Empowered II Project, implemented by the World Volunteer Community.

Speaking at the workshop, Empowered II Project Coordinator, Ms Maria Shimba said several cases had been reported involving girls being deceived and trafficked to different areas.

She said the project provides education aimed at combating deception, human trafficking and exploitation, with domestic workers currently among the major groups affected.

She said preliminary investigations had revealed that the trafficking of young children to work as domestic workers remains a challenge, with little consideration given to their age and educational development.

“There are girls under the age of 18 who have been trafficked through deceptive means, with promises of jobs or employment, only to find themselves in serious difficulties,” she said.

“We still do not have accurate statistics, which is why we are at the initial stage of providing training and education to identify all indicators of human trafficking,” she said.

She said measures are being taken to enable community members to easily report cases to the Anti-Trafficking Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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Geita Municipal Social Welfare Officer Mr Michael Maregesi said the government is working together with social development stakeholders to protect the rights, welfare and development of children in accordance with the law.

Mr Maregesi said the project was officially launched in July 2026 and involved officials from the judiciary, Immigration Department, Police Force, Community Development Department and religious leaders.

He said Geita needs stronger measures, considering that the region serves as a transit route to neighbouring countries, including Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.