Uganda arrests 231 foreign nationals in anti-illegal migration operations

The National Citizenship and Immigration Control has arrested 231 foreign nationals in two major enforcement operations targeting irregular migration.

Simon Mundeyi, the Public Relations Officer for the National Citizenship and Immigration Control, told the press that, acting on credible intelligence, enforcement teams from the Ministry of Internal Affairs apprehended 62 Nigerian nationals in Adjumani District on 27th April 2026.

The suspects are currently being held at the immigration facility in Namave. Mundeyi said the group was found operating illegally without valid work permits while engaging in activities that included running a church.

“These people come under the guise of preaching the gospel and hide behind other irregular activities,” said Mundeyi.

In a separate intelligence-led operation conducted on the night of April 27 in the Bukoto–Ntinda area of Kampala, NCIC officers apprehended 169 foreign nationals residing in an apartment complex without valid immigration status.

“This group, which included 36 women, was operating from a highly restricted, self-contained apartment complex equipped with its own restaurant and internal facilities designed to limit movement and ensure a total focus on their operations. The premises had very strict access controls for both entry and exit,” he explained.

He added that residents of the apartment complex were largely confined inside, with tightly controlled access. Authorities recovered a significant number of computers and IT equipment believed to have been used to facilitate illegal gaming, betting, and organised scamming.

“You have heard of people who call and scam others while pretending to be investors. This is the group,” Mundeyi said.

Mundeyi further noted that the suspects lacked identification documents, including passports.

“We did not find them with passports, and during interrogation, they informed us that their passports are with their bosses, who have not yet been located,” he said.

Those arrested in the Kampala operation include nationals from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Malaysia, Nepal, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Some individuals claimed they were trafficked into Uganda with promises of employment, while others were allegedly involved in cyber-scamming activities. A few were also found in possession of materials suggesting involvement in other criminal activities.

All 231 individuals arrested in the two operations are currently undergoing screening and processing. Those found in violation of Uganda’s immigration laws will face prosecution in accordance with the law, while cases involving suspected trafficking or other criminal activity will be referred to the relevant law enforcement agencies for further investigation.