By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NTUNGAMO
A survivor of human trafficking and a victim of a Dubai job scam allegedly orchestrated by Ruhama East County MP Benjamin Kamukama Katangura, Winnie Twinomugisha alias Owa Work, has been cleared to contest for the Ntungamo District Woman MP seat on the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) ticket.
Twinomugisha accuses MP Kamukama and his wife, Evas Kamukama Tugume, of luring her into a trafficking ring under the guise of securing a teaching job in the United Arab Emirates.
“He promised me a professional teaching job through THK Labour Export Company. I was asked to pay Shs5 million to facilitate my travel to the UAE, which I did through his wife,” she told Parrots Media in an interview.
She said she borrowed the money from a SACCO to meet the financial requirements, only to be scammed. Upon arrival in Dubai, she was reportedly detained in a facility that housed several women, some Ugandans allegedly being prepared for sale to prospective buyers.
Twinomugisha was later rescued after videos of her stranded in Dubai went viral, prompting media coverage and pressure from friends and relatives. With the help of a friend, she escaped and sought refuge at the Ugandan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, which facilitated her repatriation.
Although Hon. Kamukama admitted to brokering her travel, he denied involvement in trafficking, claiming Twinomugisha’s allegations were politically motivated to tarnish his name.
In July this year, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development directed the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) to arrest and investigate Kamukama and his wife for alleged extortion and human trafficking.
In a letter signed by Milton Turyasiima on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the ministry confirmed receiving an official complaint from Twinomugisha, who alleged she was trafficked to Dubai after paying Shs5 million in illegal placement fees.
Citing Regulation 38(8) of the Employment (Recruitment of Ugandan Migrant Workers) Regulations, 2021, the ministry warned that externalizing workers without a valid license is a criminal offense, directly implicating the MP and his wife. However, no arrests have been made, with reports suggesting the couple is being shielded by influential figures in government.
Kamukama, who lost the NRM Ruhama East MP primaries, is not seeking re-election in 2026, with his defeat attributed to multiple complaints from youth in Ntungamo who claim he defrauded them under similar fake job deals abroad.
A former radio journalist, Twinomugisha first expressed political interest in 2021 but lost to Josyline Bata Kamateneti in the NRM primaries. She has now crossed to PFF and hopes to unseat Kamateneti in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking after her nomination, Twinomugisha vowed to champion the rights of the “voiceless” and fight for equality in access to education and healthcare.
“The children of the poor have been home for weeks while those of officials study in private or international schools. This must stop,” she said.
“Education is a fundamental right for all children. I will fight to end salary disparities among teachers and ensure equitable access to public services.”
According to Ntungamo District Returning Officer, Latif Ngonzi, five candidates have been cleared to contest for the Woman MP seat. They include Namanya Viola (NRM), Namara Deborah (FDC), Eng. Juliet Kindyahamutima (Independent), Ankunda Brendah Mutesi (Independent), and Twinomugisha Winnie Ndiyo (PFF).
Ntungamo District comprises five constituencies, 34 sub-counties/town councils, 135 parishes/wards, 812 polling stations, and 1,033 villages, with a total of 315,037 registered voters.
