Kabale authorities have arrested 72 youths in connection with a fraudulent job recruitment operation run by Canaan Dream Visionaries Limited.
The scheme, based at J House in the Gleam Supermarket building along Kabale-Mbarara Road, lured young people with false promises of employment.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Michael Muramira Kyakashari, who led the operation in collaboration with police, said prospective recruits were initially charged Shs150,000 for training in food nutrition and later asked to call their parents to pay additional fees ranging from Shs1.7 million to Shs2 million.
In one case, a victim was misled into believing she would be taken abroad for work.
Of those arrested, 61 are victims while 11 have been identified as organizers of the scheme.
Most of the victims hail from Eastern Uganda districts including Manafwa, Mbale, and Nkore, while others come from Rukungiri, Kanungu, and Rubanda.
Many had completed Senior Four, and their time under the scheme ranged from one to three months.
The victims, who preferred to remain anonymous, told authorities they were initially contacted by friends promising jobs.
They were invited for training with assurances that employment would follow, only to be asked for large registration and additional fees.
RDC Muramira described how the organizers subjected recruits to tight supervision, confiscated their phones, and provided false assurances of jobs and accommodation.
“The amounts demanded from these youths are substantial. If the 2 million and additional funds were properly invested, they could have been used to start their own businesses,” he said, urging parents to intervene and rescue their children.
Police confirmed that statements from the victims are being recorded and that the victims may face possible charges.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the operation and bring all responsible parties to justice.
“The public must remain cautious of false employment schemes,” Muramira warned.
