Police in Kira Division are investigating a suspected human trafficking and online pornography network following a late-evening security operation on a residential house in Wakiso District.
The raid, conducted on Monday, May 18, 2026, at about 8:00 PM, led to the detention of 28 people and the seizure of a large collection of digital equipment believed to have been used in the alleged illegal activity.
Acting on intelligence, officers stormed a tightly secured house in Mbalwa Buyinja Zone, Kyaliwajjala, in Namugongo Division, within Kira Municipality. Inside the three-room residence, police found 27 young women aged between 17 and 26, together with one male suspect.
According to the spokesperson of the Kampala Metropolitan Police, SP Racheal Kawala, preliminary findings indicate that the women were allegedly being held and facilitated to produce commercial explicit content for online distribution.
During the operation, officers reportedly recovered multiple items including laptops, cameras, and about 10 specialized electronic devices believed to support live-streaming and content production activities. All 28 suspects are currently in custody assisting with ongoing investigations.
Authorities say the case points to a growing concern over cyber-enabled exploitation networks operating under the cover of residential homes. Uganda maintains strict laws against pornography and related offenses, with enforcement often anchored in provisions of the Penal Code, the Computer Misuse Act, and the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act.
Although the Anti-Pornography Act, 2014 was partially struck down by the Constitutional Court in 2021—particularly provisions considered overly broad—the production, distribution, and facilitation of explicit commercial content remain illegal.
Investigators and rights observers note that economic vulnerability continues to expose some young women to recruitment schemes, often disguised as legitimate job offers, before being drawn into online exploitation networks targeting foreign audiences.
Police say efforts are underway to identify and dismantle the wider network behind the operation.
Authorities have urged residents to report suspicious activity in homes with unusually high security or heavy installation of digital equipment, as investigations continue.
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