The Jinja City Security Committee has intensified investigations into fraudulent labour export companies accused of swindling millions of shillings from desperate job seekers seeking employment opportunities abroad.
Security officials say the scam has mainly targeted young women between the ages of 18 and 35, many of whom borrowed money or sold personal property to pay recruitment and processing fees, only for the agencies to disappear without facilitating travel arrangements.
Authorities revealed that the suspected fraudsters often open temporary offices, aggressively advertise jobs abroad through local radio stations and social media platforms, collect money from applicants, and later shut down operations before relocating to new areas to avoid arrest.
Among the victims is Dinah Nabirye, a resident of Jinja, who said she paid Shs1.5 million to a company identified as Spine Recruitment Agency, which operated in Bugembe Ward earlier this year.
Nabirye explained that after fulfilling all payment requirements, the agency repeatedly promised her travel dates that never materialized. She later discovered that the offices had been closed, while all known telephone contacts were switched off.
“I had hopes of getting a better job abroad to support my family, but now I do not know how I will recover my money,” she lamented.
Another victim, Faridah Mudondo, reportedly lost Shs1.3 million to Esanyu Recruitment Agency after borrowing money from a lender to finance the process.
Mudondo said she had expected to clear the loan after securing employment abroad, but the company disappeared before processing her documents or arranging travel.
She added that she opened a case of obtaining money by false pretence at Jinja Central Police Station in March this year, although no arrests have yet been made.
The growing number of complaints has alarmed city authorities, with Jinja Resident City Commissioner Salim Komakech revealing that dozens of victims report to his office every week seeking help.
Komakech said some victims travel from neighbouring districts and occasionally spend nights stranded at his office after losing all their money to the fake recruiters.
He blamed the increasing fraud on weak public awareness and unchecked advertisements by unlicensed agencies that continue to market overseas jobs on radio stations and online platforms.
“These cartels are taking advantage of vulnerable young people who are desperate for employment opportunities abroad. We are determined to dismantle these illegal operations and bring the culprits to book,” Komakech said.
Kiira Regional Police spokesperson James Mubi confirmed that preliminary investigations indicate many of the recruitment agencies operating in the region are not licensed by the government.
Mubi urged Ugandans seeking employment abroad to first verify recruitment agencies through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development before making payments or surrendering personal documents.
He added that security agencies and labour officials are preparing to release a public list of licensed labour recruitment companies to help job seekers avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
Authorities have warned members of the public to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious recruitment agencies to police or labour offices for investigation.
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