KAMPALA .
A total of 350 people who were seeking employment oversees commonly known as Kyeyo are crying foul after a deceptive tour and travel company conned them Shs1.75billion .
In a press statement on Friday , Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said on July 11 that the director of Skypins Tours and Travel Company Asiimwe Christian aka Don Chris, promised victims jobs abroad but failed to fulfill his promise .
“Initially, 85 victims reported being conned, but the number has now risen to over 350, being conned of Shs1.75 billion,” Mr Onyango said
He added that police preliminary investigations show that each victim paid the suspect between Shs3.5 million and Shs10 million.
“Kampala Metropolitan Criminal Investigation Headquarters have opened up a manhunt for Don Chris, and a general inquiry file was opened to aid the investigation,” Mr Onyango said.
According to police, Skypins Tours and Travel advertised jobs via TV, radio, and social media, and in 2023 collected about Shs500 million from approximately 85 job seekers.
The company lured victims to its offices at Haruna Mall in Ntinda with promises of job placements in countries including Canada, the UK, Qatar, Dubai, and Luxembourg. Victims were told they could travel on a loan scheme, but were required to pay half the total cost upfront—fees that varied by contract.
Those who paid were issued company receipts and promised travel within two to six months. However, no one ever made the journey, triggering suspicions and subsequent investigations.
“The company later relocated from Haruna Mall, where most victims had made payments, to Kitende along Entebbe Road. Following repeated demands for either travel facilitation or refunds—which were never honored—victims sought help from Minister Balaam Barugahara.
The minister then referred them to the KMP CID Commander for action,” Mr Onyango explained.
Investigations launched on June 17, 2025, initially confirmed that 85 people had been defrauded. That number has since grown significantly.
Despite multiple refund demands, the company has remained uncooperative. Victims also allege that Asiimwe Christian has used threats and intimidation.
Further inquiries revealed that Skypins Tours and Travel was not licensed by the Ministry of Gender and Labor to operate as an external labor recruitment agency.