At least 40 out of the more than 300 victims have lodged complaints at Old Kampala, Nateete, Katwe, Kajjansi, Kawempe, and Kampala Central Police Stations.
The police
in Kampala Metropolitan have launched a hunt for the proprietor of Qadar
Recruitment Agency, Micheal Karugire, for allegedly conning more than 800
million Shillings from external job seekers.
At least 40 out of the more than 300 victims have lodged complaints at Old
Kampala, Nateete, Katwe, Kajjansi, Kawempe, and Kampala Central Police Stations.
The job seekers who have been duped of at least five million Shillings each say
they were promised to get lucrative jobs in Qatar, Canada, South Korea, and
Turkey.
Some of the victims who were found at CPS and Old Kampala say Karugire opened
doors for external employment in September last year and often posted job opportunities
on the company’s Facebook page.
Hassan Ssempijja, says that he paid five million Shillings and the same amount
for his brother to secure employment in South Korea. Ssempijja said he met Karugire and assured him
of the job opportunities. On days when Karugire was not in the office, Ssempijja
would meet Allan Akampurira. Karugire and Akampurira convinced Ssempijja to pay
the money.
//cue in “I got to know…
Cue out
“…company”//
Marion Namara, another victim, said that he was approached by the agent who she
later learned was Sharon Ndagire. Ndagire, according to Namara, convinced her
that there were lucrative jobs in South Korea and even told her about the company
that was offering jobs.
Namara took time and read about the company and she was convinced about the
jobs listed on its social media pages. Namara says that she believe that Qadar
was a genuine labour export company and was promised to start work in 18 days.
//cue in “I am a victim of…
Cue out “…as
a salary”//
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, says that a hunt
for Karugire had been launched and is being wanted by various police stations
in KMP. Onyango said Qadar Recruitment Agency was based in Kabuusu, Lubaga
Division.
//Cue in “nga abantu bangi…
Cue out “…sisuuka obukadde 800”//
The police say that victims would be told to take the money to various banking
halls where it could be collected from them by Karugire or his agents. All the
victims were promised to get jobs within 18 days. Police said the agents are
still duping more people and warned the public to be careful.
Joseph Kato is currently a Master's candidate at Makerere University. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Kampala International University, a Diploma in Journalism and he's also a graduate in Guidance and Counseling.
