Kampala, Uganda — Police have launched a full-scale investigation into Skypins Tours and Travel Company over a massive employment scam that allegedly defrauded Ugandans of more than Shs 500 million under the guise of securing jobs abroad.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, the fraudulent activity is believed to have occurred between 2022 and 2025.
During this period, Skypins allegedly ran multiple advertisements on television, radio, and social media platforms like TikTok, promoting job opportunities in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Dubai, and Luxembourg.
“Members of the public were encouraged to visit the company’s offices initially located at Ntinda Haruna Mall,” Onyango said in a statement dated July 7, 2025. “Victims were promised that they would travel abroad on loan terms after depositing half of the required fees, depending on the job and destination.”
Victims reportedly paid between Shs 3.5 million and Shs 10 million, with most transactions taking place between 2023 and 2024.
Onyango noted that while some were issued receipts and given travel timelines of two to six months, no one was ever deployed abroad.
Instead, the company allegedly shifted its operations to Kitende along Entebbe Road after collecting most of the funds.
After repeated failed attempts to get refunds or be sent abroad, the victims appealed to the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara.
He, in turn, referred them to the Kampala Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID).
On June 17, 2025, a general inquiry file was opened, and investigations were formally launched.
“So far, 85 victims have recorded statements,” Onyango confirmed, adding that the company has continued to ignore refund requests and that many victims allege intimidation and threats from the company’s purported owner, Christian Asiimwe, also known as Don Chris.
Investigations further revealed that Skypins Tours and Travel is not licensed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to operate as a foreign labor recruitment agency.
“Asiimwe Christian alias Don Chris is now a wanted suspect,” Onyango stated.
“We urge any additional victims who have not yet reported their cases to immediately approach the CID Commander at Kampala Metropolitan Police,” he added.
