Boss of the Dubai sex trade ring held by police after the BBC investigation

Warning: contains worrying content and graphic descriptions of sexual acts

The BBC includes the boss of a degrading sex trade ring which exploited vulnerable women in the most glamorous districts of Dubai was detained in the United Arab Emirates.

Charles “Abbey” Mwesigwa, which was identified in a recent BBC investigation as the network manager, was filmed by saying to an infiltration journalist that he could provide women for a sexual party at a starting price of $ 1,000 (£ 750).

He also said that women could do “almost everything” that customers wanted it and said he was a former London bus driver.

It is not known that the accusations – if necessary – Mwesigwa are faced with the water and the country’s authorities have not yet made a public announcement on the case.

But a Dubai law firm contacted by the BBC said it was confirmed that Mwesigwa was in detention in the central prison in Al Awir, Dubai.

They said that a red opinion had been issued against Mwesigwa by Interpol Uganda.

A red opinion is a request to the police around the world to hold someone while waiting for extradition.

The Ugandan Embassy of the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, published a statement last week that “surveys on the trafficking in human beings are underway and measures were taken by the water authorities”.

The BBC understands that this declaration is linked to the detention of Mwesigwa.

The investigation of the BBC World Service presented testimonies from young Ugandan women who declared to go to Dubai to the water with promises of jobs and opportunities, only to find themselves liable and forced to prostitution.

In some cases, women said they thought they went to the water to work in places such as supermarkets or hotels. Prostitution is illegal in Dubai.

At least one of Mwesigwa’s customers regularly asked to defecate women, according to “Mia”, whose name we have changed to protect her identity, and who said she was trapped by the Mwesigwa network.

Mwesigwa denied all the allegations made in the BBC investigation. He said he had helped women find accommodation through owners and added that women followed him to parties because of his rich contacts in Dubai.

“I told you that I am just a festive person who invites great expenses on my tables, making many girls pour in (to) my table. It makes me known a lot of girls and that’s it,” he said.

The BBC survey also revealed that two women linked to Mwesigwa, Monic Karungi and Kayla Birungi, died after falling from the high height apartments.

Although their death was judged to suicide, their friends and their family believe that the police should have investigated more.

Mwesigwa said the incidents were investigated by Dubai police and asked us to contact them for more information. They did not respond to the BBC’s request.

Many discussions on the investigation took place in the Ugandan parliament last week, the ministers calling him “disturbing” and committing to work with Interpol to ensure justice.

Additional reports by Jack Burgess

• If you have any information to add to this survey, please contact runako@bbc.co.uk
• The details of the organizations offering information on or support after sexual abuse or with feelings of despair are available on bbc.co.uk/actionline.