Fr. Fred Tusingire, National Director of Lay Apostolate (UEC) and Chairperson, Catholic Platform Against TiP
Every year, the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), in partnership with the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU), John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre (JPII-JPC), Mwangale Foundation, St. Bakita Anti-Trafficking Network Uganda, and other faith-based and civil society partners, organizes the National Day of Prayer Against Human Trafficking.
The annual observance is held on a weekend closest to the feast of St. Peter Claver, celebrated on 9 September. This year, the National Day of Prayer will take place on 12 September 2026 at the Sharing Youth Centre, Nsambya, under the theme: “Peace Begins with Dignity: A Global Call to End Human Trafficking.”
Human trafficking remains one of the gravest violations of human dignity and human rights in the world today. Millions of people including women, men, and children continue to experience exploitation through forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced marriage, organ trafficking, and other forms of modern slavery. Uganda remains both a source and transit country for trafficking in persons, making sustained efforts in prevention, protection, prosecution, and survivor support increasingly important.
The event seeks to unite faith communities, government institutions, civil society organizations, survivors, and the public in prayer, reflection, awareness, and collective action against human trafficking. The aim of the event is not only prayer, but also raising public awareness on the prevalence causes, and consequences of human trafficking; promote the dignity, rights, and protection of victims and survivors; strengthen collaboration among stakeholders; encourage community participation in prevention, reporting, and survivor support; and advocate for ethical labor migration and safe migration pathways.
The event will be graced by the Most Rev. Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), as the Chief Guest, and Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth-Oboth, the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda as the Guest of Honor. It will include reflection sessions featuring presentations and testimonies on trafficking trends and prevention strategies; a survivor solidarity session promoting healing, inclusion, and survivor-centered responses.
All people and organizations, individuals, institutions, faith communities, civil society organizations, youth groups, and other partners who are committed to justice, peace, human dignity, and the protection of human rights are encouraged to attend and to invite members of their networks to join the cause.
This is an interfaith national prayer day, open to people of all faith traditions and to everyone who believes in the fundamental dignity and freedom of every human being.
Together, let us raise our voices in prayer, solidarity, and action.
