Police have opened an investigation into a large-scale visa and employment fraud scheme allegedly orchestrated by a fugitive known as Christian Asiimwe, alias Don Chris, who is accused of defrauding over 85 Ugandans of more than Shs500 million through a fake travel company.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SSP Patrick Onyango, the suspect lured victims by advertising high-paying job placements abroad — including in Canada, the UK, Dubai, Qatar, and Luxembourg. Individuals were charged between Shs3.5 million and Shs10 million each, supposedly to cover costs such as visas, airfares, medicals, and job placement.
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Many victims were promised travel within two to six months under a soft loan arrangement. To appear legitimate, the company issued receipt books and used formal language. However, despite making payments, none of the victims received jobs or traveled.
Asiimwe’s company, initially based in Ntinda, mysteriously shifted to Kitende, Entebbe, creating further obstacles for those seeking answers or refunds. After failed attempts to recover their money, the victims reported the matter to State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, who escalated it to the Kampala Metropolitan CID for investigation.
This case adds to thousands of other complaints received by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development concerning fraudulent labour export schemes. Over the last three years, such scams have cost Ugandans more than Shs10 billion. Many of the implicated companies lack licenses and exploit the country’s high youth unemployment rate, which exceeds 13% according to UBOS data.
Police have urged other potential victims to come forward and assist in widening the investigation. Meanwhile, Asiimwe remains at large, having mocked his victims during a recent TikTok Live video, where he downplayed the allegations and taunted those who exposed him online.
Investigations are ongoing as police intensify the search for the suspect.
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