What began as a promising opportunity to work abroad has now turned into a nightmare for hundreds of Ugandans. The number of individuals who claim they were defrauded by a travel agency known as Skypins Tours and Travel Company has continued to grow, with new reports suggesting the total number of victims now exceeds 350. Initially, police had received complaints from around 80 people, but as the scandal gained attention, more victims came forward, revealing a much larger and deeply troubling picture.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, the majority of those affected are men who were led to believe they were securing high-paying jobs in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Dubai, and Luxembourg. These job offers, however, turned out to be entirely false.
Owoyesigyire stated that the total amount of money lost is estimated to be over two billion Ugandan shillings. Victims reportedly paid between 3.5 million and 10 million shillings each, hoping to secure positions that would change their lives and support their families. Instead, they were left empty-handed and heavily indebted, with many selling assets or taking out loans to fund the payments.
The police have since opened a general inquiry file as they work to understand the full scope of the alleged fraud. Investigators have begun collecting statements from victims and reviewing the company’s operations and financial activities. A troubling detail has emerged during the inquiry: many of the affected individuals say they were threatened or intimidated whenever they tried to ask for updates or demand refunds. These threats were allegedly made directly or indirectly by the company’s director, Asiimwe Christian, who is more commonly known in social circles as Don Chris.
According to numerous reports, the fraud was carried out in a calculated and convincing manner. Jobseekers were first invited to the company’s office, which was initially located in Haruna Mall, Ntinda. The offices were well-furnished and presented as professional, giving many the impression that they were dealing with a legitimate and trustworthy company. Payments were often made on-site, and applicants were given what appeared to be formal documentation and receipts.
Later, the company relocated its operations to Kitende along Entebbe Road. This sudden move made it difficult for some victims to trace the company, especially after their phone calls and emails began going unanswered. Several people only realized they had been scammed after repeated appointment cancellations and unexplained delays. Some were even given fake travel dates, while others were falsely told that their visa applications were still being processed.
The man believed to be behind the entire operation, Don Chris, has since vanished. Police believe he fled Uganda through the Malaba border on the 20th of June. Authorities are currently coordinating with other agencies to track his movements and possibly issue an international alert.
What makes the situation even more alarming is that Skypins Tours and Travel was never legally registered as an external labour recruitment agency. This was confirmed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development. According to the Ministry, no such company had been granted a license to recruit Ugandans for overseas employment. This lack of registration raises serious questions about how the company managed to operate openly for such a long time without drawing the attention of regulatory bodies.
Investigations are now in full swing, with police actively seeking additional information from the public. Owoyesigyire has urged anyone who may have interacted with the company, or who may have information about its director’s whereabouts, to report to the nearest police station. He assured the public that authorities are treating the matter with urgency and will do everything possible to bring the suspect to justice.
Meanwhile, the victims continue to struggle with the emotional and financial impact of the scam. Some have shared their stories with the media, explaining how they were promised work contracts, travel arrangements, and accommodation abroad. Others expressed shame, frustration, and disbelief that they could be so easily deceived. For many, the hope of a better future has now turned into a bitter lesson.
Labour experts and community leaders have called for tighter regulations and public awareness campaigns to prevent similar scams from occurring in the future. They are also urging the government to increase oversight of travel agencies and job recruiters operating within Uganda. There are growing demands for a national job seeker verification system that can confirm whether an agency is licensed, reducing the risk for desperate individuals seeking employment overseas.
In the meantime, police continue to collect evidence, and many hope that justice will be served. The Skypins saga is a painful reminder of how quickly dreams can be stolen when systems fail to protect the most vulnerable.