Four charged over alleged online sexual exploitation ring in Kira

Some of the exhibits that were recovered when police raided a residential house in Wakiso District where a group of people were reportedly producing online pornographic content. PHOTO | COURTESY

Four people have been charged and remanded to prison over their alleged involvement in an online sex trafficking syndicate that authorities say exploited young women and girls in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.

The accused, identified as Vivian Kobela, Martha Lubango, Juma Oguti, and Irene Naziwa, appeared before Kira Grade One Magistrate Ivan Seguya on Friday and were charged with multiple counts of aggravated trafficking in persons involving 22 victims.

Court heard that between September 2025 and May 2026, the accused allegedly operated as part of a criminal syndicate in Mbalwa, Kira Municipality, where they recruited, transported, harboured and received victims through fraud, deception, abuse of power and exploitation of vulnerable circumstances.

According to the prosecution, the victims were subjected to sexual exploitation and harmful child labour.

Because the offences are capital in nature and can only be tried by the High Court, Magistrate Seguya did not allow the accused to enter pleas. He instead read the charges to them before remanding them to Luzira Prison until July 2, when the case will return to court for mention.

The court also issued criminal summons against two other suspects, Aminah Nalubega and Madinah Namatovu, who remain at large.

The charges stem from a police operation conducted about two weeks ago at a residence in Mbalwa following intelligence reports about suspected criminal activities.

During the night raid, police arrested at least 28 people and recovered what investigators described as extensive digital broadcasting equipment.

According to preliminary police findings, officers discovered 27 young women aged between 17 and 26 years, as well as one male, inside a heavily enclosed three-bedroom house.

Investigators suspect the premises were being used to produce commercial online adult content.

Police also recovered several exhibits, including laptops, cameras, and 10 specialised adult devices believed to have been used in the alleged operation.

If convicted, the accused could face severe penalties under Uganda's anti-trafficking laws, with death by hanging being the maximum punishment.

Recovered items include laptops, cameras, and 10 adult devices believed to be used in sexual acts,