St. Bakhita Anti-Trafficking Network Uganda Limited
Mile Stones
The network has achieved several significant milestones, demonstrating its growth and impact:
1. Legal and Operational Foundation
The successful registration as an NGO and securing an operating permit are crucial foundational milestones, enabling the network to operate legally and effectively across Uganda.
Strategic Planning and Policy Development:
- Development of the St. Bakhita Anti-Human Trafficking Uganda Strategic Plan.
- Development of essential operating policies including human resource, finance, monitoring and evaluation, child protection, and whistleblower policies, ensuring robust governance.
2. Extensive Geographical Reach
The network has successfully established its presence across all four ecclesiastical provinces of Uganda, extending its reach to 19 Catholic Dioceses. This wide coverage allows for a localized and impactful approach to combating human trafficking.
3. Capacity Building and Awareness Creation
- Training of Trainers (ToTs) in each of the dioceses to facilitate continuous awareness creation on human trafficking issues within their respective communities.
- Workshops for Superiors of religious institutes to sensitize them on the issue.
- Official launching of the St. Bakhita Network in numerous dioceses such as Fortportal, Kasese, Kabale, Masaka, consistently expanding its footprint.
- Conducting radio programs and debates in schools and institutions of higher learning to amplify awareness messages.
- Significant Awareness Reach: The network has successfully raised awareness about human trafficking to over 12,000 people across Uganda, significantly contributing to the understanding and recognition of this crime among diverse populations.
5.Victim Support and Rehabilitation
Rescue and Rehabilitation Efforts: The network has been instrumental in the rescue and rehabilitation of a substantial number of survivors. To date, the St. Bakhita AntiHuman Trafficking Network Uganda has through its partners rescued and provided support to almost 150 survivors of human trafficking, primarily from forced labor and sexual exploitation in Arab countries. These services include psychosocial support, shelter and reintegration programs.
Collaboration and Partnerships:
Signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with organizations like the John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre to strengthen collaborative efforts.
Collaboration with the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) in broader anti-human trafficking campaigns across Africa.
Continuous efforts to expand and strengthen external networking with other NGOs, government bodies, and international organizations.
Sr. Semerita Mbambu – CSC
National Coordinator
Mr. Peter Birungi
Officer
Sr. Mary Nabatanzi – OLC
Assistant Administrator
Ms. Constance Masika
Sanitation Officer
Mr. Bwambale Oswarudo
National Advocacy Officer
2023 Anti-human Trafficking workshop at Kisubi
2024 Program Evaluation at ARU Secretariat
History
The St. Bakhita Anti-Human Trafficking Network Uganda’s history is deeply rooted in the Catholic Church’s global commitment to combating modern slavery, inspired by Saint Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese former slave who became a nun.
Inception and Affiliation: The network operates under the auspices of the Association of the Religious in Uganda (ARU) and Talitha Kum, a global network of consecrated life against human trafficking. This intervention began with a focus on building synergies among Religious Institutes in Uganda, leveraging their unique position and deep-rooted relationships within communities.
Formalization and Legality: A significant milestone in the network’s history is its official registration as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Uganda. This legal status, coupled with an operating permit, provides the necessary framework for its extensive work across the country, ensuring accountability and legitimacy in its operations.
Initial Focus: The intervention, supported by the Conrad Hilton Foundation, focused on enhancing the awareness of religious institutes regarding human rights abuses, specifically human trafficking, and equipping them to address these critical issues.
Achievements
1. Development of St. Bakhita Anti-Human Trafficking Uganda LTD, Strategic Plan.
2. Development of operating policies such as human resource, finance policy, monitoring and evaluation policy, child protection policy, whistle blower among others that will be required from time to time.
3Follow up meetings in the Diocese on the committees and their activities.
4. Training of Trainers (ToTs), in each of the dioceses to continue with creation of awareness on the issues oh human trafficking.
5. Rehabilitation of 10 survivors rescued by Taliths Kum/ Religious Against Trafficking Kenya (RAHT)
6. Stamp logo for the Network in place.
FUTURE PLANS (WHAT WE PLAN TO DO)
The St. Bakhita Anti-Human Trafficking Network Uganda is committed to sustaining and expanding its impact with the following key objectives:
a) Deepening Diocesan Engagement:
Continue to strengthen andoperationalize committees within all 19 Catholic Dioceses, ensuring consistent and effective anti-trafficking efforts at the local level.
1. Expanding Awareness Campaigns: Develop and implement more targeted
and innovative awareness campaigns, utilizing various media channels to reach even wider audiences, including vulnerable populations in remote areas.
2. Strengthening Survivor Support: Enhance and diversify the aftercare and rehabilitation programs for survivors, including improved access to long-term psychosocial support, vocational training, educational opportunities and sustainable livelihood initiatives. This will focus on comprehensive reintegration into society.
3. Advocacy for Policy Implementation: Strengthen advocacy efforts with government bodies and law enforcement agencies to ensure robust implementation of anti-human trafficking laws, prosecute perpetrators and protect victims’ rights.
4. Building Strategic Partnerships: Forge new partnerships and strengthen existing collaborations with national and international organizations, government agencies and civil society groups to create a more unified and powerful front against human trafficking.
5. Research and Data Collection: Invest in research and data collection to better understand emerging trends in human trafficking in Uganda, enabling more informed and targeted interventions.
6. Empowering Youth and Community Leaders: Focus on training and empowering youth ambassadors and community leaders to become active participants in prevention and awareness initiatives within their localities.
In conclusion therefore, by building on its strong foundation and leveraging its extensive network, St. Bakhita Anti-Human Trafficking Network Uganda aims to continue being a leading force in eradicating human trafficking and upholding human dignity across Uganda.
Our Impact
The St. Bakhita Anti-Human Trafficking Network Uganda has made a profound and tangible impact across Uganda:
- Heightened Public Awareness: By reaching over 12,000 individuals, the
network has significantly increased public understanding of human trafficking, empowering communities to identify risks and report suspicious activities. This awareness is a critical first line of defense against traffickers.
- Strengthened Institutional Capacity: The extensive training and networkbuilding within the 19 Catholic Dioceses have empowered religious institutes and their members with the crucial knowledge and skills needed to effectively identify, prevent and respond to human trafficking cases at the grassroots level.
- Victim Protection and Rehabilitation: The rescue and rehabilitation of 150 survivors through Partners and Diocesan Committees underscore the network’s direct and life-saving impact. By offering psychosocial support and pathways to reintegration, the network provides hope and a future for those who have suffered exploitation.
- Enhanced Grassroots Engagement: Working within the four ecclesiastical provinces and 19 dioceses, the network has fostered stronger community-level engagement, building a robust network of informed individuals and religious communities committed to combating trafficking.
- Advocacy and Policy Influence: Through its structured operations and collaborations, the network indirectly contributes to advocacy efforts for stronger anti-trafficking laws and more effective implementation by government agencies.
- Empowerment of Survivors: Beyond direct assistance, the network empowers survivors by providing a platform for their voices to be heard, contributing to their healing process and transforming them into advocates against human trafficking.