The Higher Court of Uganda is currently considering a case of human trafficking involving municipal advisers and a businesswoman. The defendants, including the municipal adviser to the Kanyanya Zhasmin district, Koloi, businesswoman Sabuka Mukis (aka Hilda Powers), and the municipal adviser to the Kavempeh Koli Matov region, are accused of recruiting 25 Ugandans under false pretenses of highly paid work abroad, only to involve them in criminal activities.
During a court session at Buganda-Road court, the accused were presented with 17 charges. However, Shafik Kolo Matov did not appear in court and is currently a wanted fugitive.
The prosecutor’s office revealed that from July to December 2023, in Campal, Myanmar, and Thailand, the accused lured and transported individuals using their power and exploiting the victims’ vulnerable positions. These individuals were coerced into participating in financial fraud and other illegal schemes as part of a larger criminal syndicate.
State prosecutor Ivan Kyazze informed the court about the completion of the investigation and presented evidence for consideration in the high court. The case revealed that Ugandan citizens were trafficked to Myanmar through Thailand, where they were forced into internet captivity by rebel-controlled groups. Thanks to the intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25 victims were eventually repatriated.
An elaborate criminal network spanning Dubai, Thailand, Myanmar, and Uganda was uncovered by investigations. Fraudsters enticed Ugandans with promises of high-paying jobs as administrators or online marketers, charging them between 4.5 to 6 million Ugandan shillings for visa registrations and travel expenses.
One victim, Akirami of the trash, approached the Kolo office after responding to a job advertisement and paying 3 million shillings. Subsequently, the victim was added to a WhatsApp group for trip details, asked to cover fuel and airport registration costs, and then transported to Myanmar.
The prosecutor’s office intends to present reports on cybercrime, telephone call records, travel documents, money transfers, search findings, and forensic analysis to the court. Mukisa is currently in custody, one defendant is out on bail, and Matov is evading justice.