Uganda Govt Arrests 231 Illegal Immigrants, Including 62 Nigerians Over Illegal Stay and Cybercrime Allegations

Ugandan authorities have detained more than 231 foreign nationals, including 62 Nigerians, in a sweeping operation targeting illegal migration across parts of the country.

The arrests followed two coordinated, intelligence-driven raids conducted on April 27, 2026, in Adjumani and the Bukoto–Ntinda axis of Kampala.

Officials say the operation was triggered by credible information provided by members of the public.

Speaking on the development, Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson, Simon Peter Mundeyi, revealed that the Nigerian suspects were allegedly running a church and engaging in other ventures without the required work permits.

He added that they are currently in custody at the ministry’s Namanve facility and are undergoing legal processing, which could lead to penalties such as deportation, fines, or blacklisting.

Explaining the basis of the crackdown, Mundeyi said, “These people come under the guise of preaching the gospel and hide behind other irregular activities. So acting on that intelligence, we swung into action and were able to apprehend them.”

He further noted that initial investigations showed mixed claims among the suspects, with some alleging they were lured into Uganda with false job offers, while others are believed to be linked to online fra¥d and similar cr+mes.

In a separate raid, authorities also apprehended 169 foreign nationals 36 of them women in a Bukoto apartment for lacking valid immigration documentation.

The group reportedly includes individuals from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

The ministry reiterated its resolve to enforce immigration laws and ensure all foreign residents operate within legal frameworks.

Mundeyi also called on property owners to be more vigilant, stating, “We also ask them landlords who offer accommodation facilities to these people who are clearly not Ugandans to endeavour to ask for at least the immigration status of foreign tenants before allowing them to settle in their premises.”