A 33-year-old businessman has been remanded on multiple charges, including aggravated trafficking in persons, rape, and theft.
On Wednesday, Ayub Kawuma, also known as Chris, appeared before Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, where the charges were read to him.
‘The offences before this court are capital in nature and triable only by the High Court. This court will therefore not take a plea,’ Chief Magistrate Kayizzi said, directing the accused on the proper procedure for applying for bail.
He was remanded until January 12, 2026, when he is expected to return for mention of his case.
According to the charge sheet presented by the prosecution, led by Ms Grace Amy, Kawuma, a Muganda and resident of Kangyundo Road opposite Moulem Heights in Nairobi, faces three counts arising from alleged incidents between July and September 2025.
On the first count, Kawuma is charged with aggravated trafficking in persons contrary to sections 2(1)(d), 3(a), and 4(1) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, Chapter 131.
Prosecutors allege that between July and September 2025, at Hotel Mestil in Makindye Division, Kampala District, Kawuma and others still at large received, transported, transferred, and confined Armstrong Mellanese Karlisia through deception, fraud, and exploitation of her vulnerability for purposes of sexual exploitation and theft.
The second count is rape, contrary to sections 110 and 111 of the Penal Code Act. Prosecution alleges that on September 10, 2025, at Mestil Hotel, Kawuma had unlawful carnal knowledge of Karlisia without her consent.
On the third count, Kawuma is charged with theft contrary to sections 237 and 244 of the Penal Code Act.
It is alleged that on September 9, 2025, at Acacia Mall in Kampala Central, he stole a Dell laptop, bags, suitcases, clothes, shoes and cosmetic products valued at Shs106, 462,770, property belonging to the complainant.
According to court documents, prosecution further alleges that Karlisia, travelled to Uganda in July 2025 for a business transaction involving the verification of gold her company intended to purchase after refining and testing in Dubai. Court documents did not specify the nationality of the complainant.
While in Uganda, Karlisia reportedly met Kawuma, Kamulageya Ibrahim Adam, and other suspects, who allegedly obtained money from her under the false pretense of selling gold or sourcing sellers on multiple occasions.
Prosecutors claim that Kawuma guarded Karlisia from the time she was taken to stay at Mestil Hotel until he allegedly abandoned her and fled with her belongings in a vehicle they had been using together.
‘It is alleged that during this period, the accused confiscated all the complainant’s financial cards and withdrew money at will for his own use, including paying for accommodation and other expenses,’ reads in part the court documents.
Court documents further indicate that a search conducted at the apartment where Kawuma was arrested led to recovery of exhibits including a suitcase, a wireless charger and a Wi-Fi device believed to belong to the complainant.