DUBAI, UAE – Charles Mwesigwa, the alleged mastermind of a degrading sex-trafficking network that preyed on vulnerable Ugandan women in Dubai, has been detained by authorities in the United Arab Emirates, the BBC reports.
The arrest follows a BBC Eye Investigations exposé that identified Mwesigwa, known locally as “Abbey,” as the boss of a ring operating in Dubai’s most glamorous neighborhoods. The investigation included undercover footage showing Mwesigwa offering to supply women for a sex party at a starting price of $1,000 (£750), assuring a reporter that the women could do “pretty much everything” clients desired.
According to a Dubai law firm contacted by the BBC, Mwesigwa is being held at the Central Prison Centre in Al Awir. The detention is linked to an Interpol Red Notice issued by Uganda, a formal request for law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition.
The Ugandan embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed last week that “investigations of human trafficking are ongoing and action has been taken by the authorities of the UAE,” a statement the BBC understands refers to Mwesigwa’s case.
The BBC’s investigation featured testimonies from young Ugandan women who described being lured to Dubai with promises of legitimate employment in supermarkets or hotels, only to be trapped in debt and forced into prostitution, which is illegal in the emirate. One victim, identified as “Mia” to protect her identity, recounted horrifying abuse, alleging that at least one of Mwesigwa’s clients regularly asked to defecate on the women.
The report also highlighted the deaths of two women linked to Mwesigwa’s network, Monic Karungi and Kayla Birungi, who fell from high-rise apartments. While Dubai police ruled their deaths as suicides, friends and family believe the cases warrant further investigation.
Mwesigwa has denied all allegations, claiming he merely helped women find accommodation and that they were attracted to his social circle of wealthy contacts. “I am just a party person who invites big spenders on my tables, hence making many girls flock [to] my table,” he told the BBC.
The findings have sparked significant concern, prompting discussions in the Ugandan parliament, where ministers labeled the report “disturbing” and pledged to collaborate with Interpol to ensure justice. The specific charges Mwesigwa faces in the UAE have not yet been made public.
