By Mwebesa John
An Ethiopian national living in Kampala has been thrust into the spotlight after allegations that he raped his Ugandan domestic worker, a case that has triggered public fury and renewed calls for stricter regulation of asylum seekers and foreign residents in Uganda. Bereket Kenaw, who resides in an apartment in Bukoto with his two young children aged 2 and 4, reportedly hired the victim — here referred to as Sofia to protect her identity — through Gayesu Limited (commonly known as Give A Chance), a recruitment agency based in Kansanga. He had contracted her to teach his children Kiswahili for a monthly salary of Shs100,000, with a promise of future increments, only to reach there and turn her into a domestic worker. But barely a week into her job, the situation allegedly turned into a nightmare.
A Job Turns Into Horror
According to the victim, Kenaw first attempted to lure her into sleeping in his bedroom, a request she rejected, opting to sleep in the sitting room. She continued her routine duties of waking and preparing the children for school every morning.On 13th November 2025, the suspect allegedly began demanding that the maid massage him, praising her beauty and care for his children — advances she firmly rejected. Then came the fateful morning of 14th November 2025.“He does gym and is very strong. I was asleep only to feel him force himself into me. I screamed in pain because I was in my menstrual period,” the distraught victim narrated.Her cries went unanswered.
Local Leaders Fail the Victim
When she rushed to report the matter, the area LC1 chairperson allegedly attempted to resolve the issue “amicably,” advising both parties to go for medical tests. But upon returning home, Bereket reportedly turned on her, chased her away, refused the medical exam, and allegedly bragged that he had UN lawyers who would protect him from “Ugandans trying to extort him.”This arrogance, human rights activists say, reflects a growing pattern of foreign nationals who believe they can mistreat Ugandans without consequence.
Police Step In
With the help of local authorities, the matter was escalated to a nearby police station who referred the matter to Kira Road Police Station, where Bereket was detained as investigations continue.Attempts to get a comment from the Kira Road police spokesperson were unsuccessful by press time.
Public and Human Rights Outcry
Human rights defenders have condemned the incident as part of a worrying trend in several Kampala suburbs — including where thousands of asylum seekers from Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea reside. “This man should be severely punished. Uganda is a hospitable nation, but hospitality does not mean foreigners should abuse our people or violate our laws,” said David, a human rights advocate. A senior security officer who preferred anonymity warned that the situation is “getting out of hand,” urging a deeper probe into how some individuals enter and operate in Uganda without proper accountability.
Legal Experts Speak Out
According to Kampala based lawyer Tumukunde, Uganda has clear laws that protect everyone within its borders — but those laws must be respected by all, including migrants and asylum seekers. “Foreign nationals, asylum seekers, or refugees are not above the law. Uganda welcomes visitors, but anyone who abuses our hospitality must face the full force of justice,” he said.It is also said that the said Bereket has been masquerading as a journalist using social media yet he isn’t either trained or even licensed which raises questions about the conduct of some foreign nationals!
A Call for Order and Accountability
As investigations proceed, activists insist that this case must set a firm precedent: Uganda will not tolerate impunity — not from citizens, and certainly not from foreign nationals who abuse the country’s hospitality.
Authorities are expected to announce the next steps as the case unfolds