Ugandan authorities announced on Tuesday that they have detained 231 foreign nationals in a sweeping crackdown on illegal migration, which the Ministry of Internal Affairs has linked to potential human trafficking and cyberscam operations. The operations, which began on Monday, targeted a group of Nigerians residing in the northern region of the country, as well as a separate group of foreigners living together in a heavily secured compound in Kampala, the capital city.
Details of the Detentions
The second group comprised individuals from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Malaysia. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, these individuals were housed in “a highly restricted, self-contained apartment complex equipped with its own restaurant and internal facilities designed to restrict movement.” Of the 169 people discovered in this compound, 36 were women.
Authorities stated that they acted on intelligence indicating large numbers of foreigners were living or working in Uganda without the necessary documentation. Many of those detained did not possess passports, the ministry said in a statement.
Victims and Perpetrators
“Some individuals have claimed they were trafficked into Uganda with promises of employment,” the statement read. “Others were engaged in cyber-scamming activities. A few were found in possession of materials suggesting involvement in other criminal activities.” Those found to have violated the law will face criminal prosecution, it added.
Simon Peter Mundeyi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, told The Associated Press that the detained foreigners fall into three categories: suspected victims of trafficking, alleged perpetrators, and individuals who simply overstayed their visas without engaging in criminal activities. Mundeyi explained that trafficking victims and visa overstayers would be assisted in leaving Uganda after purchasing their own tickets, while those identified as suspected ringleaders of trafficking would be charged and could eventually face deportation.
Uganda’s Immigration Context
Uganda has long maintained a reputation for welcoming foreigners, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing violent conflicts in neighboring countries such as Congo, Burundi, and South Sudan. For short visits, entry visas are not required for citizens of many African and other nations.
