Death in Dubai
True-crime documentary investigates how Ugandan women are allegedly lured to Dubai and exploited.
BBC Africa Eye investigative journalist Runako Celina
Synopsis
You may think you know this story. 23-year-old Mona Kizz was a Ugandan influencer who became known as “the queen of #Dubaiportapotty” - a disturbing online trend of Arab men pooping in African women’s mouths. When the clip went viral, she jumped to her death from a Dubai high-rise.
Except that’s not the truth. BBC Africa Eye investigative journalist Runako Celina says, “The internet is wrong about Mona Kizz, whose real name is Monic Karungi, and the reality is even darker than I could have imagined.”
The documentary investigates allegations that Ugandan women are being lured to Dubai with promises of work, only to be forced into prostitution. It shows that Monic was not the only woman to fall to her death from a Dubai high-rise - and raises questions about whether either death was really a suicide.
Accolades
• Winner: 2026 Current Affairs: International - Royal Television Society Television Journalism Award
• Shortlisted: Best Documentary, Broadcast Digital Awards.
• Over 1.8 million views on YouTube
“I thought I’d seen and heard it all but this documentary broke me.”
Comment on Reddit
Uganda | 2025 | 64 min
Did you know?
You can listen to the Gracie-winning podcast here. It was also a finalist at the Amnesty Media Awards
The original BBC article on the documentary is here.
”It’s been so positive to see Death in Dubai succeed in moving the conversation around Monic away from rumour, speculation and online cruelty, and back towards dignity, accountability and the real life of a young woman whose story deserved far more care.”
Runako Celina on LinkedIn
If you have any information to add to this investigation, please contact runako@bbc.co.uk
Details of organisations offering information about or support after sexual abuse or with feelings of despair are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
Want to watch & discuss with a friend?