Monic dreams of leaving her home in rural Uganda for a different life. So when a “friend” promises her a job in Dubai, it feels like the chance she’s been waiting for. Monic is elated, she is the first of her 11 siblings to travel abroad. But just a few months later she is dead. Her family is left searching for answers. What happened in Dubai?

A warning that this podcast includes disturbing scenes, including discussion of sexual abuse and suicide. Some episodes also contain strong language.

Please note, the image is being used for illustrative purposes only and the person depicted in it is a model.

If you feel distressed by the references in this story, please speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support such as Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org

For UK listeners, details of organisations offering information about or support after sexual abuse, or with feelings of despair, are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Here’s a link to the BBC Eye documentary film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://bit.ly/bbcdeathindubai

If you are in the UK, you can watch on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n12t256jg

Reporter and Presenter: Runako Celina Producers: Ruth Evans, Ly Truong and Runako Celina Field Producer: Bondo Sound design: Andy Fell Executive Producer: Rebecca Henschke Commissioning Senior Producers: Anne Dixey and Hatty Nash Commissioning Editor: Jon Manel

Death in Dubai is a BBC Eye Investigation produced in association with Thread Studios.

Executive producer: Mauricio Gris Head of Production: Alex Farquharson Production manager: Siobhan Rae Assistant Producer: Chris Jones Additional production by: Jamie Welham Composer: Huw Jones

Monic’s relative heads to the UAE, like her, in pursuit of a dream. But soon after, news of her death shatters everything. Devastated and distrusting of the police’s account, Michael takes the search for truth into his own hands leading to a dramatic confrontation.

This episode contains strong language.

Please note, the image is being used for illustrative purposes only and the person depicted in it is a model.

If you feel distressed by the references in this story, please speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support such as Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org

For UK listeners, details of organisations offering information about or support after sexual abuse, or with feelings of despair, are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Here’s a link to the BBC Eye documentary film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://bit.ly/bbcdeathindubai

If you are in the UK, you can watch on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n12t256jg

Reporter and Presenter: Runako Celina Producers: Ruth Evans, Ly Truong and Runako Celina Field Producer: Bondo Sound design: Andy Fell Executive Producer: Rebecca Henschke Commissioning Senior Producers: Anne Dixey and Hatty Nash Commissioning Editor: Jon Manel Death in Dubai is a BBC Eye Investigation produced in association with Thread Studios.

Executive producer: Mauricio Gris Head of Production: Alex Farquharson Production manager: Siobhan Rae Assistant Producer: Chris Jones Additional production by: Jamie Welham Composer: Huw Jones

Kiera and Mia remember Monic as charismatic and kind-hearted. They were living with her in Dubai and can reveal the shocking reality of her life there, saying they were all trapped in a prostitution ring run by a man they believe is “the most powerful pimp in Dubai”. They say they’re scared of him but are determined to speak out, to get justice for their friend.

This episode contains strong language.

Please note, the image is being used for illustrative purposes only and the person depicted in it is a model.

If you feel distressed by the references in this story, please speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support such as Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org

For UK listeners, details of organisations offering information about or support after sexual abuse, or with feelings of despair, are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Here’s a link to the BBC Eye documentary film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://bit.ly/bbcdeathindubai

If you are in the UK, you can watch on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n12t256jg

Reporter and Presenter: Runako Celina Producers: Ruth Evans, Ly Truong and Runako Celina Field Producer: Bondo Sound design: Andy Fell Executive Producer: Rebecca Henschke Commissioning Senior Producers: Anne Dixey and Hatty Nash Commissioning Editor: Jon Manel Death in Dubai is a BBC Eye Investigation produced in association with Thread Studios.

Executive producer: Mauricio Gris Head of Production: Alex Farquharson Production manager: Siobhan Rae Assistant Producer: Chris Jones Additional production by: Jamie Welham Composer: Huw Jones

A key insider agrees to talk. He says he worked at the centre of this illegal prostitution ring. Why is he speaking out now? And what can he tell us about the world Monic was caught up in, and the man she was working for? We follow in Monic’s footsteps to the glitzy clubs and bars where we are told she was sent. This episode includes discussion of sex and abuse.

Please note, the image is being used for illustrative purposes only and the person depicted in it is a model.

If you feel distressed by the references in this story, please speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support such as Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org

For UK listeners, details of organisations offering information about or support after sexual abuse, or with feelings of despair, are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Here’s a link to the BBC Eye documentary film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://bit.ly/bbcdeathindubai

If you are in the UK, you can watch on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n12t256jg

Reporter and Presenter: Runako Celina Producers: Ruth Evans, Ly Truong and Runako Celina Field Producer: Bondo Sound design: Andy Fell Executive Producer: Rebecca Henschke Commissioning Senior Producers: Anne Dixey and Hatty Nash Commissioning Editor: Jon Manel Death in Dubai is a BBC Eye Investigation produced in association with Thread Studios.

Executive producer: Mauricio Gris Head of Production: Alex Farquharson Production manager: Siobhan Rae Assistant Producer: Chris Jones Additional production by: Jamie Welham Composer: Huw Jones

The story behind the viral Dubai Porta Potty rumours and why, even in death, Monic became the subject of an online witch hunt. Meanwhile we go undercover – are we getting closer to Monic’s boss? And a breakthrough in the quest to find where she is buried.

This episode includes discussion of disturbing events, including sexual abuse and violence. It also contains racist language.

Please note, the image is being used for illustrative purposes only and the person depicted in it is a model.

Audio for this episode was updated on 22nd September 2025.

If you feel distressed by the references in this story, please speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support such as Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org

For UK listeners, details of organisations offering information about or support after sexual abuse, or with feelings of despair, are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Here’s a link to the BBC Eye documentary film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://bit.ly/bbcdeathindubai

If you are in the UK, you can watch on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n12t256jg

Reporter and Presenter: Runako Celina Producers: Ruth Evans, Ly Truong and Runako Celina Field Producer: Bondo Sound design: Andy Fell Executive Producer: Rebecca Henschke Commissioning Senior Producers: Anne Dixey and Hatty Nash Commissioning Editor: Jon Manel Death in Dubai is a BBC Eye Investigation produced in association with Thread Studios.

Executive producer: Mauricio Gris Head of Production: Alex Farquharson Production manager: Siobhan Rae Assistant Producer: Chris Jones Additional production by: Jamie Welham Composer: Huw Jones

An undercover meeting with the pimp we’ve been investigating for two years. And a chase from Dubai to the UK to get answers. Back in Uganda, Monic’s family have been waiting for this moment.

This episode includes discussion of suicide and some disturbing events.

Please note, the image is being used for illustrative purposes only and the person depicted in it is a model.

If you feel distressed by the references in this story, please speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support such as Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org

For UK listeners, details of organisations offering information about or support after sexual abuse, or with feelings of despair, are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. Here’s a link to the BBC Eye documentary film, which we recommend you watch after listening to this podcast: https://bit.ly/bbcdeathindubai

If you are in the UK, you can watch on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n12t256jg

Reporter and Presenter: Runako Celina Producers: Ruth Evans, Ly Truong and Runako Celina Field Producer: Bondo Sound design: Andy Fell Executive Producer: Rebecca Henschke Commissioning Senior Producers: Anne Dixey and Hatty Nash Commissioning Editor: Jon Manel Death in Dubai is a BBC Eye Investigation produced in association with Thread Studios.

Executive producer: Mauricio Gris Head of Production: Alex Farquharson Production manager: Siobhan Rae Assistant Producer: Chris Jones Additional production by: Jamie Welham Composer: Huw Jones