Over 70 youths arrested in Lira over suspected illegal recruitment scheme

2 June 2026, 7:54 pm

By Winnie Auma

Security operatives in Lira City have arrested 73 youths who were allegedly recruited and employed illegally by a company identified as Canaan Dream Visionaries.

The arrests followed an operation conducted today at the company’s offices located in Clement Building and at another branch near Lira Primary School in Lira City West Division.

The Lira City Resident City Commissioner, Lawrence Emmy Egole, said the raid was prompted by a tip-off from a concerned citizen who reported that several youths were being kept at the premises without meaningful employment.

Mr Egole said that 44 males and 29 females were found at the two locations and have since been taken to Lira City Central Police Station to assist with investigations.

He added that the company’s managers were nowhere to be found during the operation.

According to Mr Egole, the authorities will contact the parents and guardians of the affected youths to facilitate their return home.

He also cautioned young people against accepting job offers from organisations whose operations and recruitment processes are unclear.

Mr Egole further called on the government to strengthen the vetting process for companies before granting them operating licences, saying this would help prevent fraudulent firms from exploiting the public.

Mr Egole also warned authorities in Lira City to exercise greater vigilance when registering businesses, emphasising that officials would be held accountable if they failed to prevent dubious companies from operating and exposing residents to similar incidents.

Meanwhile, a parent whose daughter was recently recruited by the company, and who requested anonymity, said that her child had been promised employment opportunities.

However, upon joining the organisation, she was allegedly instructed to recruit 40 more people into the scheme.

The parent expressed concern that the company appeared to be exploiting unemployed youths by making unrealistic promises of employment and financial success.