Indian remanded over trafficking 15 women
According to the charge sheet, 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.
Patel (right) is escorted to the court cells after appearing before Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, which remanded him on Tuesday over 15 counts of aggravated human trafficking. The case remains under investigation.
KAMPALA - An Indian insurance broker has been remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations of trafficking 15 Indian women to Uganda for prostitution and sexual exploitation.
Tejas Ghanshyambhi Patel, 50, a resident of Bukoto in Kampala, faces 15 counts of aggravated human trafficking alongside Yadav Yogesh, alias Yogi, an Indian national and manager of Green Lounge in Kisugu, who is out on bail.
The offence attracts a maximum sentence of death, upon conviction. Patel was arrested on October 4, 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.
On Tuesday, Patel appeared before Makindye Chief Magistrate Sarah Basemera, who read the charges to him, but did not allow him to enter a plea, as her court lacks jurisdiction to try the case.
“This is a capital offence... You can only take the plea and apply for bail before the High Court,” Basemera said, and subsequently remanded Patel until October 22.
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 the 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.
The court heard that investigations into the matter, being conducted by the Criminal Investigations Directorate of Police, in collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, are still going on.
Alleged trafficking network
According to Police investigations, the operation may have been active for approximately two decades, with relatives and associates reportedly conducting business and other activities on behalf of individuals linked to the network. Police investigations indicate that Patel has been alleged to be part of that circle.
Trafficking record
▪️ Alleged traffickers prosecuted in 784 cases.
▪️ 602 were charged with sex trafficking.
▪️ 212 were charged with labour trafficking.
▪️ 1,980 were alleged traffickers in ongoing cases across 1,874 investigations and prosecutions from previous reporting periods.
▪️ 101 convictions in 2024, down from 130 in 2023.