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Mwesigwa has denied all allegations, insisting he merely connected women to landlords and hosted parties where women mingled with wealthy men
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The alleged mastermind of a sex-trafficking network that exploited vulnerable women in Dubai’s upscale neighbourhoods has been detained by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following a BBC investigation.
Charles “Abbey” Mwesigwa, identified in the exposé as the ringleader, was secretly filmed telling an undercover reporter that he could arrange women for sex parties starting at $1,000 (£750). He claimed the women would do “pretty much everything” clients wanted and described himself as a former London bus driver. It remains unclear what charges Mwesigwa is facing, as UAE authorities have not made a public statement. However, a Dubai law firm confirmed to the BBC that he is currently being held at the Central Prison Centre in Al Awir. The firm also revealed that Interpol Uganda issued a red notice against him—a global request for police to detain a suspect pending extradition.
The Ugandan Embassy in Abu Dhabi last week released a statement indicating that “investigations of human trafficking are ongoing and action has been taken by the authorities of the UAE.” The BBC understands the statement referred to Mwesigwa’s arrest.
The BBC World Service investigation featured testimonies from young Ugandan women who travelled to Dubai with promises of legitimate jobs, only to find themselves indebted and forced into prostitution. Many believed they were heading to work in supermarkets or hotels. Prostitution is illegal in the UAE.
One woman, using the pseudonym “Mia” for her safety, said clients sometimes subjected women to degrading acts, including requests to defecate on them. She described being trapped in Mwesigwa’s network and unable to escape. Mwesigwa has denied all allegations, insisting he merely connected women to landlords and hosted parties where women mingled with wealthy men. “I am just a party person who invites big spenders to my tables. That makes me know many girls, and that’s it,” he told the BBC.
The investigation also revealed that two women linked to Mwesigwa, Monic Karungi and Kayla Birungi, died after falling from high-rise apartments in Dubai. Although their deaths were officially ruled suicides, family and friends questioned the thoroughness of the investigations. Mwesigwa insisted Dubai police had investigated the incidents and referred queries back to them. The BBC said Dubai authorities did not respond to requests for comment. The revelations sparked heated debate in the Ugandan Parliament last week, with lawmakers describing the findings as “disturbing” and vowing to collaborate with Interpol to pursue justice for victims of trafficking.
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