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The suspect, registered in Uganda as a citizen despite being of Asian origin, will return to court on October 22 as investigations into an alleged trafficking network continue.
Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Tejas Patel, a man of Asian origin registered as a Ugandan citizen, has been remanded to Luzira Prison on an amended charge of aggravated human trafficking as investigations continue into an alleged trafficking network linked to Sanjiv Patel, alias “Sanju”.
Patel was arrested on October 4, 2026, and appeared before the Makindye Magistrate’s Court, where prosecutors amended the charge sheet to include aggravated trafficking in persons, contrary to Sections 2(1)(a) and 3(c) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, Cap. 131.
He was remanded after the chief magistrate was unable to preside over the matter and is expected to return to court on October 22 at 11:00 a.m. The allegations against him have not been proven in court.
Patel is the second suspect arrested in connection with the alleged network. The first suspect, Yogesh Yadav, was granted bail and directed to return to court.
The development has drawn concern from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, which says it will continue monitoring the proceedings and wants investigators to establish the roles of all individuals suspected of involvement.
Mariam Amoit, a labour attaché at the ministry, questioned the circumstances surrounding Yadav’s release and emphasised the need for accountability and justice for the alleged victims.
The case has also raised questions about Patel’s citizenship and immigration status. Although he is reportedly registered as a Ugandan citizen, the circumstances surrounding his nationality require confirmation through official records and lawful procedures.
Sanjiv Patel, also known as “Sanju”, has been named in allegations concerning a trafficking operation reportedly active for approximately two decades. Claims that he relied on relatives and associates to conduct activities on his behalf, with Tejas Patel allegedly among them, remain unproven.
There are further claims that Sanjiv Patel has continued moving freely and visited immigration offices seeking the release of suspects, including after Yadav was granted bail. These claims, the nature of any contact with immigration officials and whether investigators have taken action against him have not been independently established.
Amoit said the ministry wanted investigations to extend beyond those already in custody and establish whether other individuals were involved in the alleged operation.
“The consequences are really too much,” she said, stressing the devastating effects of human trafficking and the need to protect vulnerable people from exploitation.
The case has renewed attention on the wider problem of human trafficking in Uganda, where people seeking employment and better living conditions can become vulnerable to fraudulent recruitment and exploitation.
According to the United States Department of State’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report on Uganda, traffickers exploit adults and children in sectors including agriculture, fishing, mining, domestic work, hospitality and street vending.
The report identifies deceptive recruitment practices and fraudulent employment offers among the methods used to exploit vulnerable people. Ugandans recruited for jobs abroad, particularly in domestic work and other low-wage occupations, face risks of forced labour and abuse.
Unemployment, poverty and limited access to decent work can increase people’s vulnerability by encouraging them to seek opportunities elsewhere, sometimes without adequate information about prospective employers or recruitment agencies. However, unemployment alone does not determine whether a person becomes a trafficking victim.
The United Nations’ Uganda Country Analysis 2025 identifies poverty, unemployment and limited job opportunities among the underlying factors that can push people to seek work abroad under unsafe conditions. Conflict, displacement, food insecurity and gender-based violence can further increase vulnerability.
Traffickers may exploit these circumstances by promising attractive salaries, secure employment or better living conditions before subjecting victims to forced labour, sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse.
Uganda is a source, transit and destination country for trafficking victims. Exploitation occurs both within the country and across borders, affecting women, children and men in different economic and social circumstances.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has also highlighted online recruitment scams and cyber-enabled trafficking as emerging threats, as fraudulent job advertisements and social media contacts make it easier for perpetrators to reach potential victims.
Amoit identified porous borders as another challenge, saying traffickers may exploit weaknesses in border monitoring to move victims across countries. People displaced by war and other crises are particularly vulnerable because of their urgent need for safety, employment and better living conditions.
She urged Ugandans seeking jobs abroad to use recognised recruitment agencies and lawful migration channels, warning that unverified employment offers and irregular recruitment arrangements can expose workers to forced labour, abuse and other forms of exploitation.
The case has also raised questions about coordination among police, prosecutors, immigration authorities and other agencies responsible for investigating trafficking, prosecuting suspects and protecting victims.
The ministry wants investigators to establish the roles of all individuals suspected of involvement and determine whether those allegedly directing the activities can be brought before the courts.
While bail is determined under the law and according to the circumstances of each case, the ministry’s concerns highlight the importance of thorough investigations, transparency and effective protection for alleged victims.
Authorities are expected to establish the facts surrounding the alleged network, verify relevant citizenship and immigration records, and determine whether further charges are warranted.
For Uganda, the wider challenge is to combine effective prosecution with prevention measures addressing deceptive recruitment, economic vulnerability and unsafe migration. Stronger oversight of recruitment agencies, public awareness, access to decent employment and cross- border cooperation remain important in reducing the risk of exploitation.
Patel remains on remand at Luzira Prison pending his next court appearance at the Makindye Magistrate’s Court on October 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
