About Mwiza Marriam
Mwiza Mariam is a Ugandan anti-human trafficking activist and the Executive Director of Overseas Workers Voice Uganda, a leading grassroots organisation dedicated to combating human trafficking and defending the rights of migrant workers.
Her journey into activism is rooted in personal experience. At the age of 17, Mwiza faced family rejection that pushed her into forced domestic labour. For three years, she endured exploitation, trauma, and unpaid work, eventually dropping out of school with nowhere to turn. Rather than allowing these experiences to break her, Mwiza transformed her pain into purpose, committing her life to protecting others from similar abuse.
In 2018, Mwiza’s activism took a decisive turn when she intervened in the case of a Ugandan girl trafficked to Jordan who was at risk of organ harvesting. Using her own resources, Mwiza coordinated the survivor’s return to Uganda within three months. The survivor’s testimony exposed the harsh realities of migrant worker exploitation and inspired Mwiza to formalise her advocacy.
In 2019, she founded and registered Overseas Workers Voice Uganda, focusing on human trafficking, migrant worker abuse, and cross-border exploitation. That same year, Mwiza led advocacy efforts in the high-profile case of Christine Nambereke, a Ugandan mother of seven who was trafficked to Oman and later murdered by poisoning. The case drew national and international attention, involved senior government officials, and resulted in the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrator. It remains one of Uganda’s most significant human trafficking cases and established Mwiza as a leading voice in the fight against trafficking.
Between 2021 and 2023, Mwiza handled multiple complex cases involving organ trafficking, murder, land grabbing, and violent gender-based crimes. One of her most notable achievements was securing justice for a 16-year-old girl whose hand was amputated by a man who attempted to sexually assault her. Despite efforts by authorities to downplay the crime, Mwiza challenged institutional failures and pursued the case to its conclusion. In 2022, the perpetrator was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay UGX 50 million in compensation.
In recognition of her leadership and impact, Mwiza was selected as an Obama Foundation Leader in Africa in 2022, where she undertook advanced leadership training focused on social justice and systemic change.
In 2023, she successfully defended an 80-year-old woman facing illegal eviction by land grabbers, reinforcing her commitment to protecting the elderly and marginalised communities.
Mwiza’s work has continued to gain international attention. In 2025, she featured as a contributor in the BBC documentary Death in Dubai, where she helped expose the realities of sex trafficking and migrant worker abuse in the Middle East.
Today, Mwiza Mariam is widely recognised for her courage, integrity, and relentless pursuit of justice. Through Overseas Workers Voice Uganda, she continues to advocate for survivors, challenge trafficking networks, and amplify the voices of those silenced by exploitation.