Kampala — THE Police are investigating three firms suspected of conning hundreds of Ugandans, promising them lucrative jobs in Iraq. Seven people, among them a woman, are also being hunted in connection with the bogus employment opportunities.

The Police named the companies as Migral Opportunities, with offices in Najjanankumbi, a city suburb, the Uganda Veterans Association, with offices on Nabugabo Road, and the International Labour Agency.

One of the suspects was identified as Osbert Agaba, the chief executive officer of the Uganda Veterans Association, who allegedly conned 1,380 veterans. Agaba was interrogated at the CID headquarters in Kampala yesterday.

Kampala Extra Police spokesman Simeo Nsubuga yesterday told journalists that the victims paid millions to the suspects who disappeared afterwards.

"The people were conned and up to now, none of them has ever seen the interior of an airplane, let alone gone to Iraq," he said at the Central Police Station in Kampala.

"They had been promised jobs in Faluja and Baghdad."

The victims reportedly paid sh500,000 for being part of the first batch, sh100,000 for an Interpol certificate, sh20,000 for transport to the shooting range, sh30,000 described as a next-of-kin fee and sh50,000 for office charges.

About 300 people have lodged complaints at various Police stations in the city, Nsubuga said, adding that investigations were ongoing.

"Kira Road police station and CPS have recorded complaints against Andama. Old Kampala has various complaints against Agaba," he noted.

He urged the Government to publish a list of companies exporting labour to Iraq so that people are not cheated.