Kampala, Uganda: Security agencies have intensified a nationwide crackdown on irregular migration, arresting more than 200 foreign nationals in coordinated operations targeting suspected cybercrime and human trafficking networks.
In a press briefing to the media on Tuesday, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said enforcement teams from the National Citizenship and Immigration Control carried out two intelligence-led operations in Adjumani District and Kampala, netting a total of 231 suspects.
The first operation, conducted on April 27 in Adjumani District, led to the arrest of 62 Nigerian nationals who were allegedly operating without valid work permits. Authorities said the group was engaged in various activities, including running a church.
Hours later, a night raid in the Bukoto–Ntinda area of Kampala uncovered a more complex operation, with immigration officers arresting 169 foreign nationals who were reportedly living in a tightly controlled apartment complex without valid immigration status.
Mundeyi said the premises had been modified into a self-contained hub with restricted movement, complete with internal facilities such as a restaurant.
A search of the building led to the recovery of numerous computers and other IT equipment believed to have been used in illegal gaming, betting, and organised online scams.
The suspects include nationals from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with authorities noting that many of those arrested did not possess identification documents, including passports.
Preliminary investigations indicate mixed accounts among the detainees, with some claiming they were trafficked into Uganda under false promises of employment, while others are suspected to have been directly involved in cybercrime activities.
According to Ministry spokesperson Simon Peter Mundeyi, all the suspects are currently undergoing screening and processing, with those found in violation of immigration laws set to face prosecution.
“Cases involving suspected trafficking or criminal activity will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for further investigation,” Mundeyi said.
He added that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that all foreign nationals residing or working in Uganda are fully documented and compliant with national regulations, urging the public to report suspicious activities to immigration offices or police.
The operations form part of a broader government effort to safeguard national security and enforce immigration compliance amid rising concerns over transnational crime networks operating within the region.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, cyber-enabled crimes and organised cross-border criminal networks are an emerging threat, with authorities increasingly targeting syndicates exploiting digital platforms and porous borders to conduct illegal activities.
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