The arrest of Tejas Patel on October 4, 2026, has brought renewed attention to allegations surrounding a wider human-trafficking network and claims of influential connections allegedly linked to criminal kingpin Sanjiv Patel, alias “Sanju.”
Tejas Patel is reportedly in police custody as investigations continue into allegations concerning the activities of a network said to have operated for years.
The allegations have not been established in court, and those named in connection with the claims remain entitled to the presumption of innocence.
According to allegations surrounding the investigation, Sanjiv Patel has been associated with an alleged human-trafficking operation said to have been active for approximately two decades.
The allegations further claim that Patel relied on relatives and associates to conduct business and other activities on his behalf, with his cousin, Tejas Patel, allegedly among those operating within that circle.
The circumstances surrounding Tejas Patel’s arrest are now attracting scrutiny as investigators examine the wider network and the relationships between individuals allegedly connected to it.
What constitutes human trafficking under Ugandan law
Under Uganda’s Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, human trafficking is not limited to physically transporting a person across a border.
The law defines trafficking to include the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person through means such as force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or the giving or receiving of payments or benefits, where the purpose is exploitation.
Exploitation includes, among other things, sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery, servitude, debt bondage and forced or arranged marriage.
The law also creates offences relating to attempts, conspiracy and facilitating trafficking, meaning that alleged involvement in organising, directing, assisting or preparing trafficking activities can itself attract criminal liability depending on the evidence.
Trafficking committed by a syndicate or on a large scale is treated as aggravated trafficking.“Yogesh Yada arrest adds to growing scrutiny”The investigation also follows the reported arrest of Yogesh Yada, alias “Yogi,” on September 20, 2026.
Sanju has allegedly been linked to efforts involving members of the wider network and claims concerning the securing of bail for people facing criminal investigations. These allegations have yet to be proven in court.
The arrests have raised broader questions about whether individuals connected to the alleged network had access to influential contacts capable of affecting decisions within government, law enforcement or the justice system.
Allegations of a wider regional networkThe allegations now surrounding Sanjiv Patel, also known as “Sanju,” extend beyond Uganda and raise questions about whether the network under investigation may have regional or international dimensions.
According to allegations described in connection with the investigation, Patel has been linked to an alleged trafficking network said to have operated over many years, with relatives and associates allegedly carrying out activities on his behalf.
Sanjiv Patel’s longstanding community connections under scrutinySanjiv Patel, who has been described as a Ugandan-American of Asian origin, has reportedly maintained relationships within Uganda’s business and social circles for many years.
His name has also been associated with prominent community organisations and institutions, including Uganda Lodge 9157.
Patel’s public associations have come under renewed scrutiny following the allegations surrounding the current investigation.
Among the prominent figures with whom he is reported to have met is Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi economist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.“Questions over Indian Association of Uganda”Further allegations concern Patel’s relationship with the Indian Association of Uganda.
It is alleged that Patel was sidelined from the organisation in 2023 following concerns about his conduct. Claims have also circulated regarding the alleged handling or loss of members’ savings during the Covid-19 period.
“Questions surrounding Tejas Patel’s citizenship”Tejas Patel’s citizenship status has also become a subject of discussion following his arrest.
He has been described as Ugandan by registration, but questions have reportedly been raised about his citizenship and the circumstances surrounding his registration.
