More than a year after hundreds of Ugandan job seekers were allegedly defrauded by a travel firm promising overseas employment, the Uganda Police has released a statement revealing that over Shs 1.75 billion was lost in what appears to be a well-orchestrated scam. The announcement has, however, raised critical questions about the timing, tone, and effectiveness of the law enforcement response.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, the suspect, Asiimwe Chris, alias Don Chris, owner of Skylines Tours and Travel, is wanted for allegedly conning over 350 individuals between 2023 and 2024 with promises of jobs in Canada, the UK, Qatar, and Luxembourg. Each victim reportedly paid between Shs 3.5 million and Shs 10 million, often on a so-called “loan basis,” with guarantees of repayment upon employment abroad.
“Initially, 85 victims had reported being conned, but the number has now risen to over 350… Don Chris is wanted for fraud and police are tracking leads to apprehend him,” Onyango stated.
The police report confirms that the company’s offices were found abandoned, and some exhibits were recovered. However, the suspect is believed to have already fled the country—a detail that has sparked public concern over how a high-profile scam operated for so long without intervention, and why the police only addressed it publicly after the fact.
Public Reaction: “Too Little, Too Late”
Observers have criticized the delayed response, questioning why police failed to issue public warnings, initiate early arrests, or conduct regular updates on the case as it unfolded.“This should have been a proactive investigation, not a reactive press briefing, when hundreds are defrauded over months, the police cannot afford to wait until the suspect vanishes to start sounding the alarm.”
The tone of the report detailing the scam without offering substantial updates on enforcement has also drawn scrutiny. Critics note that the police narrative reads more like an investigative news piece than a law enforcement update, with phrases like “sources suggest” and “police are tracking leads” lacking specificity on legal steps being taken.
No Clear Legal Action Disclosed
Despite the scale of the fraud, no formal charges or arrest warrants were cited in the statement. There is no mention of engaging Interpol to track the suspect internationally or of holding officials accountable for the regulatory oversight that allowed the company to operate unchecked. There is a disturbing pattern in Uganda where travel and recruitment scams emerge, fleece the public, and vanish without serious prosecution.
In whatever area he was operating, you cannot have an office without the local council coming to collect its license money. He was not operating in his bedroom. He had an office. There is need for police to account how such a business could continue under their watch instead of merely calling the public to be vigilant.
A Systemic Issue Unaddressed
The police acknowledged that fraudulent travel agencies remain a growing threat, but offered little assurance on structural reforms to prevent recurrence.
Call for Transparency and Reform
In light of the police’s delayed disclosure and the suspect’s apparent escape, no pressure is mounting on the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) to:
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Explain why no early warnings were issued;
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Publish a timeline of investigations;
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Disclose whether immigration authorities were alerted;
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Confirm whether recovery of funds is being pursued.
Uganda police is currently operating as a cartel. If you are not willing to pay them some money, they will not follow up on your case. There is a few cases they will work on to excuse themselves. It is only until you have an issue to report that you come to learn that the police is cartel only working for the highest bidder. It will not be a surprise if there are several police officers that received bribes in the span of that year that allow that fraudulent business to continue operating.