Police have launched a manhunt for city socialite Christian Asiimwe, widely known as Don Chris, over allegations of defrauding more than 100 Ugandans in a job scam amounting to over shs500 million.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, Asiimwe, who owns Skypins Tours and Travel Company, is accused of running fraudulent recruitment schemes under the guise of offering foreign employment.
“It is alleged that from 2022 to date, Skypins Tours and Travel Company has been advertising job opportunities abroad on television, radio, and social media platforms such as TikTok. The company invited people to their offices at Ntinda Haruna Mall, prompting many to seek their services,” Onyango said.
Investigations reveal that victims were enticed by promises to travel on loan after depositing half of the total payment required under various contracts for jobs in countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Dubai, and Luxembourg. The amounts paid ranged from shs3.5 million to shs10 million per person, with the total estimated at over shs500 million.
Onyango noted that after making payments, the victims were issued company receipts and assured of traveling within two to six months—a promise that never materialized.
Further complicating the matter, Skypins Tours and Travel later shifted its offices from Ntinda Haruna Mall to Kitende along Entebbe Road. Many of the victims claim that when they demanded either to be taken abroad or refunded, Asiimwe failed to deliver. The victims eventually sought the intervention of Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, who referred them to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigations Department for action.
“Despite numerous demands for refunds, the company remained uncooperative, and several victims allege they were met with threats and intimidation by Asiimwe,” Onyango added.
Police investigations also revealed that Skypins Tours and Travel is not licensed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to operate as an external labour recruitment agency.
A general inquiry file was opened on June 17, and following investigations, the case file was submitted to the Resident State Attorney. The Resident State Attorney has since sanctioned Asiimwe’s arrest to face charges related to obtaining money by false pretenses.
In response, Asiimwe recently posted a video on social media dismissing the allegations and daring police to arrest him, claiming he had just returned from an overseas trip and was not wanted by any authorities.
Police have vowed to pursue the suspect until he is apprehended.
