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3 foreigners, 1 Ugandan arrested for attempting to fraudulently acquire passports

Crime

3 foreigners, 1 Ugandan arrested for attempting to fraudulently acquire passports

Three foreigners and one Ugandan are in trouble after they were arrested while attempting to fraudulently acquire Ugandan passports.

Simon Mundeyi the Public Relations Officer for Immigration says that the trio was arrested from different areas across the country.

Speaking to reporters during the weekly joint security press conference at Naguru Police Headquarters, Mundeyi identified one of the suspects as Ishime Gadiel alias Aime 29-year-old Burundian national and musician who first came to Uganda in August 2018.

Aime was then using a Buirundian passport but later acquired a Ugandan National ID after claiming to be a Munyankole from Kiruhura district.

He used the same fraudulent means and acquired a Ugandan passport but was arrested from Busia where he was attempting to go to Germany. Mundeyi says that the suspect is detained at the immigration detention centre at Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The second suspect is Saunders David Joshua alias Damba Joshua a 27-year-old Nigerian national claiming to be a businessman dealing in computers. Mundeyi says Joshua has been frequently traveling to Uganda and his last entry was in 5th February 2023 using Katuna border post.

The suspect fraudulently obtained a Ugandan National ID as Damba Joshua David and used it to apply for a Ugandan passport.  

However, immigration officers at the passport interview office room number 29 suspected that he was not Ugandan and asked him to bring a relative to authenticate his story.

“He presented a one Sseruwagi Gibson as his paternal relative. His Nigerian passport was recovered and we have it. The two, Sanders Joshua and his accomplice Sseruwagi are in custody,” says Mundeyi.

He added that Sseruwagi is one of the brokers that have been helping foreigners to fraudulently acquire National IDs and there after applying for passports.

The other suspect is Kaliisa Sam, 29-year-old Rwandan national and resident of Kitemu in Wakiso district. He came to Uganda in 2022 through a non gazetted entry point and connected with a man only identified as Shafik who helped him to obtain a National ID.

According to Mundeyi, Kaliisa impersonated Shafik and used his information including his parents for the national ID before using it to apply for a passport.

“Kaliisa escaped from custody at Jinja Road Police Station. On top of the charges we already levied against him, he will be charged with escaping from lawful custody. He found a way and took off as the officers were trying to take his statement,” Mundeyi added.

Mundeyi says their system at the immigration office has improved and that no foreigner will be able to get a Ugandan passport.

“We are calling upon these people to acquire other resident facilities relevant to work like students passes and work permits. We do not want our national document to lose its credibility and integrity. We shall work hard to ensure that our passports remain in the hands of Ugandans only,” Mundeyi explained.

He says the Ugandans who were helping the suspects charged them 10 million shillings and 5,000 USD respectively for a passport.

Sarah K. Biryomumaisho is a seasoned multimedia Award Winning journalist with 11 years of experience in broadcast and writing. She is recognized for her expertise in the field and holds a Diploma in Business Administration from Makerere Business Institute, which has equipped her with a strong foundation in business principles. Sarah's commitment to professional development is evident through her continuous pursuit of knowledge and skills. She has obtained a Certificate in Media Management from Women in News, an esteemed organization dedicated to empowering women in the media industry. In 2020, she successfully completed a Course in Wikimedia, demonstrating her proficiency as one of the few Wikipedia Editors in the country. To further enhance her reporting capabilities, Sarah has also acquired a certificate in Gender Justice Reporting from The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF). This specialized training has equipped her with a deeper understanding of gender-related issues and their portrayal in the media. Throughout her career, Sarah has contributed her talent to various media houses, including six radio stations, where she has showcased her versatility and adaptability. Her most recent engagements include Galaxy FM 100.2 and Radio 4. Additionally, she has served as a writer for Andariya Magazine, further demonstrating her ability to excel in different mediums. Sarah's expertise extends beyond journalism. She has worked as a Digital Communications consultant for the revitalized Uganda Airlines, leveraging her skills to effectively communicate the airline's message in the digital sphere. Her passion for digital media and technology makes her a valuable asset in the evolving landscape of communication. In her entrepreneurial pursuits, Sarah is the proud owner of TheUgPost, a renowned media organization with a strong presence in Uganda and a global reach. Through this platform, she continues to make a significant impact by providing reliable and engaging content to a wide audience. Sarah won the Top Environmental Journalist Award 2023 from Uganda Biodiversity Fund. Twitter; https://twitter.com/BiryomumaishoB

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