A new BBC investigation has uncovered a disturbing trafficking pipeline exploiting young African women with false promises of work and a better life in Dubai—only for many to end up trapped in sexual exploitation, violent abuse, and, in at least two cases, dead under mysterious circumstances.
The undercover documentary, led by BBC journalist Runako Celina, follows the recruitment trail from rural Uganda to the glittering skyline of Dubai.
What emerges is a chilling picture: a clandestine network that scouts vulnerable young women, flies them out with promises of supermarket or domestic work, then funnels them into illegal prostitution and degrading acts for wealthy men.
Some victims describe being offered thousands of dollars to participate in one of the region’s most notorious fetishes—known online as the “Dubai porta potty” phenomenon.
It is as gruesome as it sounds: men allegedly paying to defecate on women.
Families Left Without Answers
At the center of the BBC investigation are two young Ugandan women—Monica Karanji and Kayla Bungie—whose deaths have triggered international scrutiny.
Both fell from high-rise buildings in Dubai in separate incidents one year apart. Their families say the official explanations never made sense.
Kayla’s brother says police told him she was on drugs, yet toxicology reports showed otherwise. Monica’s family rushed to find answers after her sudden death, only to learn she had been buried in Dubai without their knowledge.
To this day, her exact gravesite remains unknown.
“There’s a feeling these cases are not properly investigated because they’re young Black African women,” Celina said.
The Man Allegedly Behind the Operation
Through undercover calls, social media analysis, and phone records, Celina’s team identified a man named Charles Muesigwa, widely known as Abby. Victims and witnesses accuse him of running a prostitution ring in Dubai and controlling dozens of women at once.
A second man, Umar Basher, allegedly scouted girls in Uganda, requesting photos and promising lucrative opportunities. Posts on his social media accounts show stacks of passports and IDs—raising questions about the scale of recruitment.
One witness who worked for Muesigwa described apartments crammed with up to 50 women. Another said wealthy clients paid extra for “the craziest acts,” including defecation.
Despite denying all allegations, Muesigwa briefly surfaced after the documentary aired. UAE authorities reportedly detained him, though his current whereabouts are unknown.
Undercover Evidence
The BBC’s undercover recordings show a broker casually offering “open-minded girls” who would “do everything” for clients.
Prices started at around $1,000. When asked about the porta-potty fetish, the broker responded: “They’re open-minded. I’ll send you the craziest I have.”
As part of the investigation, a BBC operative even met a representative of the network in Dubai, posing as someone hiring women for private parties.
A Global Crisis, Not a Local Scandal
Celina stresses that this is not just a Uganda–Dubai issue—it is a global pattern.
Messages poured in from women across Europe, the U.S., and Africa, describing similar recruitment scams targeting influencers and young women seeking opportunity.
“This is happening everywhere,” Celina said. “The world needs to confront the way vulnerable women are being exploited.”
Digital Shame and Misogynoir
The documentary also shows how social media fuels victim-blaming. When a sex tape circulated online falsely attributed to Monica, influencers and online commentators accused her of “selling herself” for luxury goods.
Celina argues that this misogynoir both shamed Monica and obscured the truth: she was likely a trafficking victim, not a willing participant.
A Family Still Searching
For Monica’s family, the fight continues. They simply want her body returned home. Celina visited the cemetery where officials said Monica was buried—called “The Unknown”—but found no trace of her.
The question remains: How many more women are buried without names, without justice, without answers?
