Police have launched an investigation into a growing visa and job scam in Uganda. The main suspect, Christian Asiimwe—commonly known as Don Chris—allegedly defrauded at least 85 people of more than Shs500 million. Authorities believe he promised fake job opportunities abroad and then vanished with the funds.
According to SSP Patrick Onyango of Kampala Metropolitan Police, Asiimwe operated a travel company that claimed to offer employment in Canada, the UK, Qatar, Dubai, and Luxembourg. Many people paid between Shs3.5 million and Shs10 million, expecting the company to handle everything from visa processing to air tickets and medical exams.
The agency presented convincing documents and even issued receipts to appear legitimate. Furthermore, it claimed to offer a “soft loan” scheme, where applicants would pay 50% upfront and cover the rest once employed. On paper, the deal seemed reasonable. However, no one traveled, and no jobs materialized.
As time passed, communication from the company became inconsistent. Eventually, the office moved from Ntinda to Kitende, near Entebbe, without prior notice. This sudden relocation left many victims confused and unable to reach the staff. Because of this, they had no clear way to reclaim their money or receive updates.
Frustrated and desperate, several victims contacted the State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara. In response, the minister referred the matter to the Kampala Metropolitan CID Commander, who then opened a formal investigation. As the case gained attention, police urged more victims to come forward.
“As more victims report the fraud, our investigation grows stronger,” Onyango explained. He emphasized that every statement helps build the case and could lead to recovering stolen funds. Clearly, cooperation from the public plays a critical role in catching those responsible.
Despite multiple attempts, police have not located Asiimwe. He switched off all known phone numbers and disappeared. However, in a TikTok Live video posted recently, he appeared carefree and defiant. In the clip, he mocked the victims and questioned their desire to work abroad. “Why are you running out of the country? Is Uganda bad?” he asked. “Let social media pay you back if you trust it so much,” he added.
This bold statement only fueled public outrage. The case has since become one of the most talked-about visa and job scams in Uganda in recent years.
Unfortunately, this scam is not an isolated incident. The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has documented more than 5,000 fraud complaints linked to fake labour export companies over the past three years. Altogether, Ugandans have lost over Shs10 billion through such scams. Many of these fraudulent agencies operate without licenses and take advantage of high youth unemployment, which stands at 13%, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).
Given these alarming numbers, job seekers must remain vigilant. First, always verify that a recruitment agency is licensed by checking the Ministry’s online portal. Second, never trust companies that ask for large upfront payments without signed contracts. Third, ensure the agency has a physical office and a strong reputation. Scammers often rely on urgency and flashy promises to trap unsuspecting victims.
The ongoing visa and job scam in Uganda shows how quickly things can go wrong when people ignore warning signs. Nevertheless, it also highlights the need for tighter regulations and stronger public awareness. Moving forward, government agencies must step up enforcement against illegal recruiters. At the same time, the public must stay informed and cautious.
As the police continue their investigation, they ask anyone with additional information to come forward. Every detail, no matter how small, could help locate Asiimwe and possibly recover lost money. With public support, the authorities hope to end this fraud and protect more people from similar scams.
