Following our Annual General Meeting held on 24th July 2025 in Kampala, Uganda. The CATIP-U community is pleased to announce the installation of the new Board of Directors for the Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons – Uganda (CATIP-U). This new leadership team will serve a three-year term from 2025 to 2028, steering the coalition towards its mission to end human trafficking and exploitation in Uganda.

This new board of directors is composed of the following distinguished professionals who bring a wealth of experience and strategic leadership. 

Damon Wamara – Board Chairperson

Damon is the Executive Director of Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN), working with over 200 child rights organizations impacting more than 13 million children across Uganda and beyond. With extensive experience in child advocacy, Damon sits on the National Taskforce on Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and various advisory boards, including previously serving as the Vice Chairperson of CATIP-U. A recipient of the 2020 U.S. Department of Labor Iqbal-Masih Award and nominee for the European Union Human Rights Award, Damon brings a decade of expertise in child protection, anti-trafficking, and advocacy. He holds a Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy and a Bachelor’s degree in Ethics and Development Studies from Uganda Martyrs University. 

Monica Kyamazima – Vice Chairperson

Monica serves as Country Director for Willow International (Everfree – Uganda). She is a dynamic leader with over thirteen years of experience in law and senior management, dedicated to advancing survivor-centered anti-trafficking initiatives. Monica has led program expansions, advocacy efforts, capacity building, and policy influence, fostering collaborations with government, civil society, and international agencies. Known for her ethical and inclusive leadership style, she is committed to creating a world free from exploitation where survivors reclaim their dignity.

Florence Soyekwo – Treasurer

Florence is a seasoned accountant with over 26 years of progressive experience in NGO financial management. Currently Country Director at Hope for Justice Uganda, she leads trauma-informed care services for trafficking survivors and supports prevention efforts nationwide. Florence has played a key role in multi-agency coordination and represents her organization in national forums, including the National Taskforce Committee on Prevention of TIP. She has served as CATIP-U Treasurer since 2022.

Julia Zabbu – Board Member

Julia Zabbu is a Ugandan lawyer and advocate of the High Court of Uganda. Her career and service in the humanitarian space spans over 10 years. Julia understands the importance of coalition building having served two coalitions previously. She is the Legal Programs Coordinator at the Human Trafficking Institute (HTI). Previously, Julia served as a legal aid lawyer at International Justice Mission (IJM) and Refugee Law Project of Makerere University(RLP), a law lecturer at Uganda Christian University and a member of the Legal Aid Committee of the Uganda Law Society. Julia holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Uganda Christian University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Center and a Master of Laws Degree from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Grace Mukwaya – Board Member

Grace is Executive Director of Platform for Labour Action (PLA) and an expert in human rights, democracy, and governance. With academic credentials including law and urban planning from Makerere University and University of Pretoria, Grace champions social protection and rights of vulnerable workers. She brings over ten years of leadership and program management experience and serves on multiple regional and global youth forums.

Phiona Namazzi – Board Member

Phiona is a Programs Management Consultant and Accountant with practical experience in anti-trafficking program planning, resource mobilization, advocacy, and victim response. She currently manages prevention programs at Rahab Uganda and is pursuing a Master’s in Development Monitoring and Evaluation at Uganda Christian University. Her background is complemented by strong church ministry engagement and leadership in youth and women’s fellowship initiatives. 

Emmanuel Wataka – Board Member

Emmanuel is a lawyer and accomplished project manager with a solid track record in human rights, anti-trafficking, and organizational leadership. He holds a Master of Laws (LLM) and a postgraduate diploma in project management, combining legal expertise with practical experience in development work. As the National Contact Person and Project Manager for The Salvation Army in Uganda, he leads national anti-human trafficking initiatives ranging from legal advisory and policy advocacy to victim support, stakeholder coordination, and reintegration programming. His work with international partners such as the Red Rope Movement and Do Bold contributed to shaping impactful responses that are survivor-centered and sustainable. Emmanuel’s leadership extends beyond national borders. He serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Zonal Council for The Salvation Army Africa Zone and is a Legal Representative on the International Council on Human Trafficking, where he provides strategic legal insight into global anti-trafficking frameworks. He is also a Board Member at Footprint to Freedom, where he actively contributes to the organization’s strategic development and governance, with a focus on survivor reintegration and community- based solutions. In addition, he holds a key governance position as Board Secretary on the Salvation Army’s Territorial Governance Board, ensuring accountability, compliance, and effective coordination at the highest level of the organization. 

The CATIP-U community extends its profound gratitude to the outgoing Board, chaired by Dr. Annette Kirabira, for their exemplary leadership and commitment. Dr. Kirabira’s tenure as Board Chair in the years 2021- 2025 was marked by substantial advancements in trauma-informed care, multi-sectoral collaboration, and enhanced policy advocacy that have significantly contributed to strengthening CATIP-U’s influence and impact nationwide. Their vision and dedication have laid a strong foundation for the new Board to build upon.

The installation of this new Board marks a pivotal moment for CATIP-U. With diverse expertise ranging from child rights advocacy, legal expertise, survivor-centered program leadership, financial stewardship, to strategic governance, this team is uniquely positioned to accelerate the coalition’s mission. They will steward enhanced coordination, foster robust partnerships, advocate for legislative reforms, and scale survivor support interventions across Uganda.

Rooted in the coalition’s strategic pillars of communication excellence, strategic partnering, and capacity building, the new Board is committed to driving innovative solutions, promoting transparency, and ensuring CATIP-U remains a unified, influential voice against human trafficking.

Together, with renewed leadership and shared commitment, CATIP-U is set to continue advancing towards a Uganda free from human trafficking and exploitation, ensuring dignity and protection for all vulnerable populations.

About CATIP-U

The Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons-Uganda (CATIP-U) is a dynamic membership alliance of over 40 civil society organizations unified by the mission to end human trafficking and its debilitating effects within and beyond Uganda’s borders. Established as a formal coalition in 2019 under Uganda’s Registration Bureau, UCATIP emerged as a coordinated national platform that synergizes diverse expertise and resources to maximize impact in the fight against trafficking in persons (TIP). Our member organizations, ranging from national and international NGOs to advocacy groups, specialize in civic technology, education, gender-based violence prevention, sexual and commercial exploitation of children, legal aid, capacity building, and direct survivor support.

CATIP-U’s strength lies in its collective approach to fully implement and coordinate the 4Ps framework—Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnerships—guided by the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (PTIP) 2009 and aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 8.7. By fostering research, advocacy, strategic partnerships, and coordinated service delivery, UCATIP acts as a knowledge hub and a powerful voice for civil society engagement on trafficking issues. We prioritize a survivor-centered methodology, ensuring that all programs and policies uphold the safety, dignity, and rights of persons at risk and survivors of trafficking.

Blog written by Doreen Birungi of One by One and Josephine Tusingwire of Sole Hope

As the world prepares to commemorate the World Day against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, 2023, the fight against human trafficking gains momentum. In a remarkable collaboration, One by One and Sole Hope joined forces with the Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons Uganda (CATIP-U) to tackle the prevention aspect of this grave issue in Jinja. The focal point of their efforts was the Kibibi Primary School, where an open session on anti-trafficking was organised last week. This outreach marked the first time the school received such crucial information aimed at empowering the students to be vigilant and resilient against human trafficking.

Aligning with this year’s theme, “Reach Every Victim of Trafficking, Leave No One Behind,” the initiative aimed to raise awareness among school-going children about their vulnerability as potential targets of traffickers. The information provided during the session aimed to equip the learners with knowledge about the realities of human trafficking, enabling them to recognise the signs, stay informed about society’s happenings, and take a stand against this heinous crime.

Recognising the vital role of the police in combating human trafficking, the event invited representatives from the child and family protection unit of the Uganda police. They shared valuable insights on the police’s role in the fight against human trafficking, emphasising their commitment to protecting children and families from exploitation.

The awareness session meticulously addressed the various elements of trafficking, focusing on a simplified definition and outlining the activities involved. The attendees, who included students, teachers, and non-teaching staff, were educated about the ACT (recruitment, mobilisation, transfer, transportation, and receipt) of human trafficking. To make the concepts relatable to the children, real-life examples were presented, highlighting cases where children were mobilised by their peers and transported to Kampala under uncertain circumstances.

Sole Hope, one of the collaborating organisations, shed light on the means used by traffickers and the tactics they employ to lure children away from school and home. One student shared a harrowing experience of individuals visiting their village under the guise of offering bursaries to children. Such eye-opening accounts revealed the gravity of the situation and urged the children to remain vigilant and cautious.

The CFPU officer shared compelling real-life trafficking cases involving children, leaving a profound impact on the young audience. These stories brought the harsh reality of human trafficking closer to home, making it more tangible and relatable to the children’s own lives.

Responding to the students’ repeated inquiries about safety measures, the presenters shared practical tips and precautionary measures. The learners were encouraged to share the knowledge they had gained with their families, ensuring that no one would be left behind in the fight against human trafficking.

The day’s activities went beyond awareness sessions, as One by One and Sole Hope integrated their routine programmes to benefit the students. Sole Hope organised a jigger treatment clinic, providing necessary medical care to help the learners stay in school, thus reducing their vulnerability to traffickers. Simultaneously, One by One addressed menstrual health hygiene, supporting girls with reusable sanitary pads to promote girl child education and minimise their exposure to potential traffickers.

Through the awareness messages delivered on July 6, a total of 750 students and their teachers became informed advocates against human trafficking. This substantial outreach exemplified the campaign’s commitment to leaving no one behind, ensuring that every young individual had access to essential knowledge and tools to protect themselves and others from the scourge of human trafficking.

The collaborative efforts of One by One, Sole Hope, and the Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons Uganda (CATIP-U) yielded resounding success in raising awareness about human trafficking among schoolchildren in Jinja. By educating the students, sharing real-life stories, promoting safety measures, and providing vital support, the campaign empowered young individuals to stand up against this pervasive crime. Through their efforts, they ensured that no one was left behind in the fight against human trafficking, creating a safer and more resilient community for all.