NIRA Official Charged Over Data Leak to Alleged Dubai Sex Trafficking Ring

A National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) official is facing charges of illegally disclosing personal data, which authorities suspect facilitated a human trafficking ring targeting Ugandan women for exploitation in Dubai. Douglas Kaaya, also known as Kasozi, appeared in court facing two counts of unlawful disclosure and processing of personal data.

The prosecution alleges that Kaaya, while working as a registration assistant for NIRA, accessed and processed National Identification card details before sharing them with individuals connected to the trafficking syndicate. This case gained prominence following a BBC documentary that highlighted the plight of Ugandan women lured to Dubai with false promises of employment, only to be trapped in abusive situations.

Investigators believe Kaaya, along with other individuals still at large, used their positions within NIRA to expedite the processing of identification documents for overseas travel, thereby assisting traffickers. The alleged offences occurred in December 2024 at NIRA offices.

Kaaya denied the charges during his court appearance. Although eligible to apply for bail, his application was not processed due to incomplete documentation, including his National ID and a letter from his local council. He has been remanded until May 18, 2026, when his bail application will be heard again and the substantive hearing is expected to begin.

If convicted, Kaaya could face up to 10 years in prison and a significant fine. The incident has reignited concerns about the vulnerability of Ugandan migrant workers, especially women, to recruitment for exploitative labour in the Middle East, underscoring the challenges in regulating labour migration processes.

This story was reported by The Observer.