More than 120 innocent Ugandans have fallen victim to a massive scam involving Skypins Tours and Travel Company, which has been operating without authorization to recruit labor for work abroad. Police say over 500 million shillings were fraudulently collected from job seekers between 2022 and 2025.
According to investigations, Skypins ran flashy advertisements on radio, television, and platforms like TikTok, claiming to offer jobs in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Qatar, Dubai, and Luxembourg. The company encouraged the public to visit their offices at Ntinda Haruna Mall.
Victims were promised job placements on a “loan basis” if they first paid half of the required fees. Depending on the country and type of job, people paid between UGX 3.5 million and UGX 10 million each. In return, they received company receipts and were told they would travel within 2 to 6 months. Sadly, none of them made the promised journey abroad.
Later, the company quietly relocated from Ntinda to Kitende along Entebbe Road, raising even more suspicion. When frustrated victims began demanding either jobs or refunds, the company’s so-called owner, Asiimwe Christian, also known as Don Chris, became uncooperative. Many of the victims report being threatened or intimidated when they asked for their money back.
The matter reached the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, who directed the victims to the CID Commander of Kampala Metropolitan Police for assistance. As a result, a general inquiry was launched on June 17, 2025.
So far, 85 victims have recorded their statements with police. Investigations reveal that the majority of payments were made at the Ntinda office between 2023 and 2024, with a few more transactions recorded at the new Kitende location.
The Ministry of Gender and Labour has since confirmed that Skypins Tours and Travel was never licensed to operate as a labor export company. Don Chris, now a wanted man, is being pursued by police.
Police spokesperson SSP Patrick Onyango has urged anyone else who was defrauded by Skypins but hasn’t reported yet to come forward immediately and record a statement at the CID headquarters under the Kampala Metropolitan Police.
This case serves as a serious warning to the public to always verify the legitimacy of recruitment companies before making any payments.
