Tejas Patel, a man of Asian origin reportedly registered as a Ugandan citizen, has been remanded to Luzira Prison on an aggravated human trafficking charge as investigations continue into an alleged trafficking network linked to Sanjiv Patel, also known as “Sanju”.
Patel was arrested on October 4, 2026, and appeared before the Makindye Magistrate’s Court, where the charge sheet was amended to include aggravated trafficking in persons under Sections 2(1)(a) and 3(c) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, Cap. 131.
He was remanded after the chief magistrate was unable to preside over the matter and is scheduled to return to court on October 22 at 11:00 a.m. The allegations against him remain unproven.
Patel is the second suspect arrested in connection with the alleged trafficking network. Yogesh Yadav, the first suspect in the case, was granted bail and directed to return to court.
The decision has raised concerns at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, which says it will continue monitoring the proceedings and wants investigators to establish the roles of all individuals suspected of involvement.
Mariam Amoit, a labour attaché at the ministry, questioned the circumstances surrounding Yadav’s release and stressed the need to ensure accountability and justice for the alleged victims.
The case has also prompted questions about Patel’s citizenship and immigration status. Although he is reportedly registered as a Ugandan citizen, the relevant authorities would need to establish his nationality through official records and lawful procedures.
Sanjiv Patel, alias “Sanju”, has been named in allegations concerning a trafficking operation reportedly active for about two decades. Claims that he relied on relatives and associates to conduct activities on his behalf, with Tejas Patel allegedly among them, have not been established in court.
There are also claims that Sanjiv Patel has continued moving freely and visited immigration offices seeking the release of suspects, including after Yadav was granted bail. These allegations, the nature of any contact with immigration officials and whether authorities have taken action against him have not been independently verified.
Amoit said the ministry wanted the investigation to extend beyond those already in custody to establish whether other individuals were involved in the alleged operation.
“The consequences are really too much,” she said, emphasising the harm caused by human trafficking and the importance of protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.
The case highlights the wider challenge of human trafficking in Uganda, where fraudulent recruitment, poverty and limited access to decent employment can leave people vulnerable to exploitation.
According to the United States Department of State’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report on Uganda, traffickers exploit adults and children in sectors including agriculture, fishing, mining, domestic work, hospitality and street vending.
The report identifies deceptive recruitment and fraudulent job offers among the methods used to exploit vulnerable people. Ugandans seeking employment abroad, particularly in low-wage occupations, can face risks of forced labour and abuse.
Unemployment and limited economic opportunities may encourage people to seek work in other regions or countries, sometimes exposing them to recruiters who promise attractive salaries and favourable working conditions but fail to disclose the actual nature of the jobs.
Poverty, displacement, food insecurity and gender-based violence can further increase vulnerability, particularly where people have limited access to reliable information, safe migration channels or support services.
Uganda is a source, transit and destination country for trafficking victims. Exploitation occurs within the country and across international borders, affecting people in different economic and social circumstances.
Online recruitment has also created additional risks. Fraudulent advertisements and social media contacts can be used to lure jobseekers into exploitative arrangements, making public awareness and effective monitoring increasingly important.
Amoit identified porous borders as another challenge, saying traffickers could exploit weaknesses in border monitoring to move victims across countries. People displaced by war and other crises are particularly vulnerable because of their urgent need for safety, employment and better living conditions.
She urged Ugandans seeking jobs abroad to use recognised recruitment agencies and lawful migration channels, warning that unverified employment offers and irregular recruitment arrangements could expose workers to forced labour, abuse and other forms of exploitation.
The case has renewed attention on coordination among police, prosecutors, immigration authorities and other agencies responsible for investigating trafficking offences, prosecuting suspects and protecting victims.
The ministry wants investigators to establish the roles of all individuals suspected of involvement, including those alleged to have directed the activities.
Although bail is determined according to the law and the circumstances of each case, the ministry’s concerns underscore the importance of thorough investigations, transparency and effective protection for alleged victims.
Authorities are expected to establish the facts surrounding the alleged network, verify relevant citizenship and immigration records, and determine whether further charges are warranted.
For Uganda, the broader challenge is to combine effective law enforcement with preventive measures addressing deceptive recruitment, economic vulnerability and unsafe migration. Stronger oversight of recruitment agencies, access to decent employment, public awareness and cross-border cooperation could help reduce the risks of exploitation.
Patel remains on remand at Luzira Prison and is expected to return to the Makindye Magistrate’s Court on October 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
