Indian national accused of trafficking 15 women granted bail

A Ugandan national of Indian origin, Patel Tejas Ghanshyambhi, who is accused of trafficking 15 women for prostitution and sexual exploitation, has been released on bail.

Ghanshyambhi, 50, an insurance broker residing in Bukoto, Kampala, is facing 15 counts of aggravated human trafficking alongside Yadav Yogesh, alias Yogi, an Indian national and manager of Green Lounge in Kisugu, who is also currently out on bail.

Prosecution alleges that the accused persons allegedly trafficked Chandi Anjila, Asmita Bishwokarma, Shreejana Bhlon, Salina Bishowakarma, Simana Magar Kawar, Anjali Shrestha, Sabina Gurung, Jina Karki, Magar Menuka, Thing Rima, Shikha Ghale, Shikha Moktan, Bista Kabita, Anjama Lama and Renchen Lama.

The two are battling charges of aggravated trafficking in persons, contrary to section 2 (1) (a) and 3 (c) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act. The offence attracts a maximum sentence of death, upon conviction.

Makindye Court Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera on October 16, 2026, granted Ghanshyambhi bail of sh7m in cash after the accused presented substantial sureties. The court also ordered the sureties to execute a cash bond of sh100m each.

“The sureties produced have demonstrated that they are capable of bringing the accused person back to court whenever required,” Basemera said.

The magistrate directed Ghanshyambhi not to travel outside the court’s jurisdiction without prior permission.

The court heard that the accused’s passport was being held by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control.

Ghanshyambhi was arrested on October 4, 2026, after an amended charge sheet added him as an accused person in the aggravated human trafficking case, which had previously named Yogesh as the sole accused.

The Court heard that investigations into the matter, being conducted by the Criminal Investigations Directorate in collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, are still ongoing.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that in February, March, April, May, July, August and September 2026, at Muyenga, Makindye Division, Kampala, the accused persons, together with others still at large, received, transported or harboured the said victims by means of deception.

According to prosecution, the accused persons allegedly did so through giving or receiving of payments or other benefits to obtain the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of prostitution or sexual exploitation.

Trafficking records

According to the September 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report published by the United States Embassy in Uganda, the Government of Uganda reported investigating 1,055 incidents of human trafficking in 2024, up from 1,006 incidents in 2023.

The Government also reported initiating prosecution against 967 alleged traffickers in 784 cases, compared to 589 alleged traffickers prosecuted in 494 cases in 2023. Of the 967 alleged traffickers, 602 were charged with sex trafficking, 212 with labour trafficking, and 153 with unspecified forms of trafficking.

In addition, the Government reported continuing 1,874 investigations and prosecutions involving 1,980 alleged traffickers from previous reporting periods.

In 2024, courts convicted 101 traffickers under the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, down from 130 convictions in 2023. Of the 101 convictions, 86 were for sex trafficking and 15 involved forced labour. The courts sentenced the convicted traffickers to prison terms ranging from three months to 24 years. ENDs………. /