By Lizinda Peter
A National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) registration assistant has been remanded to prison over allegations of illegally accessing and sharing Ugandan citizens’ personal data, which authorities say was used to facilitate a sex trafficking network operating in Dubai.
The suspect, identified as Douglas Kaaya alias Kasozi, appeared before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court and was charged with unlawful disclosure and processing of personal data without consent, contrary to Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy laws.
Court heard that while working at NIRA, Kaaya allegedly accessed sensitive national identification records and shared them with individuals linked to a trafficking syndicate recruiting young Ugandan women for travel to the United Arab Emirates.
Investigators claim the stolen data was used to identify, target, and process travel arrangements for victims who were later lured abroad under false promises of employment opportunities, but instead ended up being exploited in sex work networks.
The case comes amid heightened public concern following recent investigations into trafficking routes targeting Ugandan women in the Gulf region, which have raised questions about possible insider involvement in government data systems.
Kaaya denied the charges but was remanded after failing to meet bail conditions set by court, including presentation of a valid national identity card and a local council introductory letter.
He is expected to return to court on May 18, 2026, for further mention of the case.
