Lorraine Aguti

BEHIND THE SCREEN: THE DARK WEB OF TECH-FACILITATED HUMAN TRAFFICKING By Lorraine Aguti   In today's technological era, it is a part of life one cannot do without. It brings people together, facilitates services, and opens doors to opportunities. But the very same instruments that empower and unite can be used to exploit too. Nowhere is that a truer statement than in the era of human trafficking, where technology is increasingly used to recruit, control, and conceal victims of modern slavery.   Traffickers utilize social media platforms, messaging platforms, job advertisement websites, and cryptocurrency networks to conduct their businesses. These platforms offer anonymity, quickness, and a worldwide reach—making them well-suited to exploit vulnerable individuals across borders. In 2021, a report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime stated that online technologies are utilized at all points of the trafficking process, from recruitment to control and exploitation.   Another...

HOW TECH COMPANIES FOSTER CYBER ABUSE THROUGH NEGLIGENCE Introduction In the digital age, the influence of technology companies on online communication has been significant. They determine how individuals transact with peers and how much data is obtained- whether publicly available or private. While these companies are building platforms to connect the world, they also need to ensure user safety too. Nevertheless, by negligence through not enforcing their security protocols, insufficient attention to content moderation, and placing profit above matters of user welfare- this has fostered cyber abuse. This article focuses on the various ways in which tech companies encourage cyber abuse through their negligence. It discusses inadequate data protection, algorithmic biases (caused by existing cultural assumptions that the company repeats) in computer-aided decision making and policing for Internet abuse, lax content moderation, and lack of (or sometimes active sabotage to) regulatory c...

As I turn 27, I reflect on the journey that has shaped who I am today—a lawyer, career coach, and advocate for social justice and education. Growing up in northern Uganda, I was a survivor of the LRA insurgencies in the early 2000s, and my experience during those difficult times instilled in me a deep understanding of the power of education. Education was, and still is, the key to overcoming the challenges I faced, and it continues to serve as the gateway to breaking generational cycles of poverty.   My educational journey has not been easy, but it has fueled my passion for empowering others. Completing my law degree and establishing myself as a career coach, I’ve worked closely with young professionals to guide them through their career paths. These experiences have helped me realize the importance of creating access to education, especially for children in underserved communities.     Kwania District, my home district, has always held a special place in my heart. T...

Human trafficking, a clandestine crime that exploits the vulnerable for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and various forms of abuse, casts a pervasive shadow over nations worldwide. Among these nations is Uganda, a country grappling with the intricate challenges of being both a source and destination for human trafficking. In this extensive exploration, we delve into the multifaceted layers of issues surrounding human trafficking in Uganda, emphasizing the indispensable need for innovative legal strategies and legislative amendments to effectively combat this gross violation of human rights. To appreciate the urgency of the situation, an examination of the statistical landscape of human trafficking in Uganda is imperative. Reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimate that thousands of men, women, and children fall prey to trafficking within and across Uganda's borders each year. [1] This covert crime, with its devastating consequences, poses a sever...

  Realignment of the International Criminal Court with the Modern Age: Adapting to Unforeseen Challenges-  Lorraine Aguti . "If we never do anything which has not been done before, we shall never get anywhere. The law will stand still while the rest of the world goes on, and that will be bad for both." - Lord Denning in the case of Parker v Parker, 1954. Established in 2002, the International Criminal Court (ICC) stands as a crucial bastion in the global fight against impunity, mandated to prosecute individuals for the most serious crimes of international concern, ranging from genocide and war crimes to crimes against humanity. However, as the ICC navigates the intricacies of the 21st century, marked by rapid technological advancements and evolving geopolitical landscapes, the need for realignment with the modern age becomes increasingly apparent. In the face of unprecedented challenges, the ICC finds itself at a crossroads. Crimes against migrants and refugees, for instance,...