By Ben Musanje
The government has paraded a total of 231 foreign nationals at the Ministry of Internal Affairs along Port Bell road in Kampala following two coordinated enforcement operations targeting illegal migration and suspected cybercrime networks.
According to Simon Peter Mundeyi, spokesperson for the ministry, the arrests mark a significant step in Uganda’s intensified crackdown on undocumented foreigners and transnational criminal activity.
“These operations are part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard national security and ensure compliance with immigration laws,” Mundeyi said in a statement released on April 28, 2026.
In the first operation, conducted on April 27 in Adjumani District, immigration enforcement teams arrested 62 Nigerian nationals. Authorities said the group was operating without valid work permits and was engaged in unauthorized activities, including running a church.
Hours later, in a separate intelligence-led raid in the Bukoto-Ntinda area of Kampala, officers detained 169 foreign nationals who were residing illegally in a tightly controlled apartment complex. The group included 36 women and individuals from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Malaysia.
Officials described the premises as a self-contained facility deliberately designed to restrict movement. A search uncovered a cache of computers and IT equipment believed to have been used for illegal online gaming, betting, and organized cyber scams. Many of those arrested reportedly lacked identification documents, including passports.
Preliminary findings suggest mixed circumstances among the suspects. While some are believed to have been actively involved in cybercrime, others claim they were trafficked into Uganda or misled with false job promises.
Mundeyi emphasized that all 231 individuals are undergoing thorough screening. Those found to have violated immigration laws will face prosecution, while cases involving human trafficking or other criminal elements will be referred to specialized law enforcement agencies.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, reaffirming its commitment to enforcing immigration regulations and maintaining national security. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
