World of Secrets: Death in Dubai

Episode 3: The Most Powerful Pimp

Podcast: World of Secrets (BBC)
Date: September 29, 2025

Overview

This gripping episode unpacks the tragic and mysterious death of Monica (aka Mona Kizz), a young Ugandan woman who fell from a Dubai high-rise. While online rumors swirl—branding her a #DubaiPortaPotty and fueling social media spectacle—the podcast peels back the layers of exploitation, organized trafficking, and powerful actors beneath the internet gossip. Through first-hand testimonies, covert investigations, and detailed reporting, the episode exposes a network luring vulnerable young women to Dubai under false promises, only to trap them in a cycle of prostitution, violence, and debt.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Monica’s Death and Immediate Aftermath

• Kira describes the shock and trauma of finding Monica’s body. She hesitates to approach out of fear and notes the chaos among other girls in the apartment.
  [01:58] Kira: “I went to the building, but I was scared of reaching where the body is... It was my first time to see a human body. The police were there... it was a big trauma for us.”
• Whispered rumors and accusations circulate immediately. Depression among the group is palpable, but close friends doubt Monica’s death was a suicide: [03:15] Mia: “The Mona I know... can never commit suicide. She can't. She used to love life. She had big dreams.”
• Monica had recently posted lively social content, giving glimpses of hope for her future days before her death.

2. Recruitment & False Promises: The “Bash” Connection

• Kira and Mia’s Origin Stories: Both moved from small Ugandan villages to Dubai on the promise of well-paying jobs, seduced by Umar Bashir, known as "Bash."
  • [07:47] Kira: “He started telling me, you are poor, you are broke, you are stressed, you can make money, go to Dubai. He was sending me videos of girls earning money.”
  • [08:08] Mia: "Baj told me... You don't have to do anything. Your beauty stands out for you. You don't have to do anything. You don't have to sleep with them."
• The grim reality was immediate upon arrival: cramped, dirty accommodation with dozens of girls, and the coercion into sex work.

3. Investigative Reporting: Undercover Operation with Bash

• The podcaster, Renatho Salina, attempts to make contact with Bash undercover, posing as a woman seeking Dubai work.
  • Bash swiftly requests photos and identity documents. When the undercover reporter says she lacks a national ID, Bash offers to procure one, showing access to Ugandan government identity databases. [13:35] Michael & Renatho: "Wow... He would have had to like, oh, my gosh. That's kind of scary."
    [13:49] Michael: "That's very scary."
  • This access suggests Bash is significantly connected or corrupt within official networks; he's a key trafficker managing recruitment, transportation, and document forgery.

4. The System in Dubai: Abi, the “Most Powerful Pimp”

• Abi (Charles Mwesigwa): Once in Dubai, girls are handed to “Abi,” a Ugandan expatriate controlling dozens through violence, psychological manipulation, and financial bondage.
  • [16:35] Mia: “In Dubai he’s known as Abi. He’s the most powerful pimp.”
• Exploitation mechanics:
  • Girls forced into debt for airfare, visas, clothes, and lodging.
  • Their legal status is manipulated to induce overstay, making them illegal and susceptible to arrest, further trapping them. [17:07] Mia: “You don’t even have a visa... when you're on overstay in Dubai, you don't get a job... So he traps you there.”
  • Abi controls every aspect — housing, appearance, routines, destinations. If the girls resist or fail, they're met with violence. [18:16] Mia: “If you go out and you don't come with money, he would slap you. He would tell you you're useless.” [20:15] Kira: “He makes sure he puts fear in you, inside your brain... He used to force girls to sleep with him. He told them, you give me, I reduce the money."
  • The “debt” is fabricated to keep them working endlessly.
• Monica, ever defiant, clashed frequently with Abi, pushing against the bounds of control.

5. Resistance, Retaliation, and Escalation

• Monica tried to extricate herself by seeking help from a wealthy client who paid her debt to Abi. But Abi kept the money, and Monica threatened police action.
  • [22:34] Mia: "The guy sent money to Abi's phone. Abi ate the money. She got so mad... Monica used to say that one day I will go to the police and they will fuck you up, Abby."
• This threat ends with her eviction—and presumably, increased hostility or risk.

6. Disturbing Aftermath and Partying Amidst Death

• After Monica's death, Abi throws a party, celebrating as if nothing happened—an episode that underscores his sense of impunity.
  • [24:17] Kira: “He was happy. How can you celebrate when someone has died? And on top of that, you're the one who introduced her to this country.”

7. Patterns and Precedent: The Death of Kayla

• The pattern of deaths among Ugandan women becomes clear as Kayla, another victim, is profiled:
  • Same modus operandi: recruited for work, ends up dead after an alleged fall.
  • [25:54] Kira: “She’s not the first girl. The first one was called Kayla.”
  • Kayla's family, and detailed autopsy, confirm she had not been drinking or using drugs—countering official explanations.
  • Both Monica and Kayla were managed by Abi and subjected to the same system.

8. Unmasking Abi: Real Identity Revealed

• Through database checks and social media sleuthing, the investigative team connects the dots: Abi is Charles Mwesigwa, a Ugandan with a UK connection (the phone number starts +44, matching the UK).
  • He is highly cautious, never revealing his face online, but eventually a photo is identified and confirmed by a family member. [32:12] Michael: “This is the guy. This man is a devil to me. He’s a devil.”
  • Abi has institutionalized this business of trafficking and exploitation—not a one-off, but a systematic criminal enterprise.

9. Closing and Accountability Efforts

• The podcast team reaches out for right of reply to Bash, Abi, and relevant authorities in Uganda and Dubai. None respond.
• A former "operation manager" for Abi, once tasked with logistics and persuading girls to comply, now agrees to talk, promising further revelations in the next episode.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "She was always determined... She doesn't give up easily."
  —Kira on Monica (02:45)
• “My Mona can never commit suicide for real... She had big dreams.”
  —Mia (03:15)
• “That's the moment I knew I was trapped. Like, what am I going to do now?”
  —Mia, realizing the extent of Abi’s control (17:07)
• “He makes sure he puts fear in you, inside your brain... You’re a slave.”
  —Kira on Abi’s methods (20:15)
• “The moment you leave my place without clearing me, you end up like Mona.”
  —Kira, chilling warning from Abi (23:48)
• “He was happy. How can you celebrate when someone has died?”
  —Kira, on Abi's post-Monica party (24:17)
• “This man is a devil to me. He’s a devil.”
  —Michael, identifying Abi (32:12)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:58–04:00 – Kira and Mia recount the shock of discovering Monica’s body
• 07:17–08:54 – Introduction and background on the trafficker Umar Bashir ("Bash")
• 09:58–13:51 – Undercover operation reveals Bash’s methods and access to government systems
• 16:00–20:37 – Abi’s (Charles Mwesigwa) trafficking operation and methods of control
• 22:12–24:05 – Monica’s attempted escape, Abi’s retaliation
• 24:17–25:32 – Abi throws a party after Monica’s death
• 25:54–28:45 – The story of Kayla, another victim with strikingly similar circumstances
• 31:10–32:30 – Investigators confirm Abi’s identity with family member Michael

Summary

By threading together survivor accounts, investigative journalism, and covert operations, Episode 3 paints a harrowing portrait of Monica’s life and ultimate death—a tragedy entwined with organized trafficking, deceitful recruiters, and a violently coercive Dubai-based network. Monica’s fate is shown not as an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern, sustained and shielded by powerful, well-connected criminals like Bash and Abi.

The final act sets the stage for the next installment: a rare insider’s perspective from a former operation manager within Abi’s empire, promising to shine further light on this dark underworld.

For support or more information on trafficking and exploitation, visit the BBC or relevant humanitarian organizations.