KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ugandan authorities have announced the detention of dozens of foreigners as part of a crackdown on illegal migration, with links to human trafficking and cyber scam operations. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, at least 231 people have been arrested since Monday in coordinated operations targeting a group of Nigerians in northern Uganda and another group residing in a closed compound in the capital, Kampala.
The second group, which comprised individuals from various countries including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Malaysia, was discovered living in a highly restricted apartment complex. This facility was equipped with its own restaurant and internal amenities designed to limit movement. Among the 169 individuals found in the compound, 36 were identified as women.
Authorities stated that the crackdown was based on intelligence suggesting the presence of large groups of foreigners living and working in Uganda without valid documentation. Many detainees lacked passports, leading the ministry to question their legal status in the country.
The Ministry's statement pointed out that some detainees asserted they had been trafficked into Uganda under false promises of employment, while others were implicated in cyber-scamming activities. Additionally, a small number were found with materials indicative of involvement in other criminal undertakings.
Simon Peter Mundeyi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, reported that three categories of foreigners were currently being questioned: suspected victims of trafficking, alleged perpetrators, and individuals who had merely overstayed their visas without engaging in criminal actions.
Mundeyi further explained that trafficking victims and visa overstayers would be assisted in departing Uganda after purchasing their own tickets. Conversely, those identified as potential leaders in trafficking operations would face criminal charges and could ultimately face deportation.
Uganda has a historical reputation for welcoming foreigners, as the country hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing conflicts from neighboring nations such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and South Sudan. For short visits, individuals from numerous countries in Africa and beyond do not require entry visas, highlighting the nation’s openness and hospitality.
