Dubai sex-trade ring boss held by police after BBC investigation

Dubai authorities have detained Charles "Abbey" Mwesigwa, the man identified in a BBC World Service investigation as running a network that exploited vulnerable women in Dubai’s most glamorous districts. A Dubai law firm confirmed to the BBC that Mwesigwa is in custody at the Central Prison Centre in Al Awir, and an Interpol red notice has been issued by Uganda seeking his detention pending extradition. The Ugandan embassy in Abu Dhabi said investigations into human trafficking were ongoing and that action had been taken by UAE authorities.

The BBC’s undercover reporting cited testimonies from young Ugandan women who travelled to the United Arab Emirates with promises of jobs and opportunity, only to find themselves indebted and coerced into prostitution. Prostitution is illegal in Dubai, and the investigation described how some women were moved between venues and pressured to meet clients’ demands. One participant, who spoke under a changed name to protect her identity, said some clients requested acts that were degrading, highlighting the coercive nature of the network.

Mwesigwa has denied the allegations, telling the BBC that he helped women find accommodation through landlords and accompanied them to parties because of his connections with affluent Dubai clients. He described himself as "a party person who invites big spenders on my tables," insisting that his role was simply connecting women with parties rather than trafficking.

In the BBC’s reporting, two women linked to Mwesigwa — Monic Karungi and Kayla Birungi — died after falling from high-rise apartments. Police ruled both deaths as suicides, but relatives and friends said they believed the cases warranted further investigation and questions remained about the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Dubai police were said to have investigated the incidents, but the BBC did not receive comment when seeking details.

Parliament in Uganda discussed the investigation in sessions last week, with ministers calling the allegations disturbing and pledging to work with Interpol to pursue justice. The BBC noted additional reporting by Runako Celina and Jack Burgess. The broadcaster also provided contact information for further information from the public.

The BBC’s World Service investigation highlighted how vulnerable women are drawn into trafficking networks under the guise of legitimate employment, and how authorities in destination countries, as well as origin states, face ongoing challenges in enforcement and protection. The case raises questions about oversight of recruitment channels, the responsibilities of employers and event organizers, and the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation in trafficking cases.

No final charges have been publicly announced by UAE authorities in relation to Mwesigwa, and his current legal status in the emirate remains unclear beyond confirmation of his custody. Reuters and other outlets have corroborated some timeline details, but authorities have not issued a formal statement outlining charges or ongoing investigations beyond the detention notice and the related Interpol red notice.

For now, the case underlines continuing concerns about trafficking networks that exploit migrant workers and the international efforts needed to disrupt them, including cooperation between Ugandan authorities, Interpol, and UAE law enforcement. Further updates are expected as investigations progress and new statements are released by involved authorities.