Uganda National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC) has arrested 231 foreigners in two operations targeting unlawful and irregular immigration activities.
According to the NCIC, a group of 62 Nigerian nationals was apprehended on April 27 in Adjumani District.
The Nigerian nationals were arrested on the charges of operating illegally without valid work permits and carrying out illegal activities that were discovered during the operation by the NCIC in a church.
“Acting on credible intelligence, enforcement teams apprehended 62 Nigerian nationals in Adjumani District on April 27, 2026. The group was found operating illegally, specifically without valid work permits, while engaged in activities that included the operation of a church,” part of the statement from the Uganda NCIC dated April 28 stated.
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Uganda Illegal Migration Operations
In the Bukoto-Ntinda area of Kampala, during an operation by the NCIC on April 27, NCIC officers detained 169 foreign nationals residing in an apartment complex in Bukoto without valid immigration status.
Among the 169 foreign nationals, 36 were women who operated in a highly restricted, self-contained apartment complex.
Furthermore, all foreigners arrested during the operation had no identification, including travel passports.
A report by the NCIC indicates that the foreign nationals arrested operated within the complex in Bukoto, which was equipped with internal facilities designed to restrict movement.
NCIC noted that the design and presence of a complex kitchen within the apartment ensured total focus on illicit operations for the foreigners.
Upon searching the premises, the NCIC recovered a significant cache of computers and IT equipment used to facilitate illegal gaming, betting, and organized swindling.
The nationalities of the foreigners arrested in the Kampala operation included citizens of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
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Foreign Nationals Arrested in Uganda
Following the arrest and processing of the foreign nationals, the preliminary processing by the NCIC indicated that the foreigners arrived in Uganda under different circumstances.
Some of the foreigners arrested claimed that they had been trafficked into Kampala by unknown people and lured with promises of acquiring employment in Uganda.
On the other hand, the NCIC noted that some of the arrested foreigners actively engaged in cyber-scamming.
Further, a few of the foreigners had materials allegedly involved in criminal activities in the country.
Currently, all the 231 arrested foreign nationals are undergoing processing and screening in Kampala, Uganda.
All those who will be found in violation of the Ugandan immigration law among the arrested nationals will face prosecution in accordance with Ugandan laws, according to the NCIC.
Additionally, cases involving suspected trafficking and criminal activities will be forwarded to the relevant law enforcement for investigation.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and NCIC reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring all foreign nationals within the Ugandan borders are compliant with national regulations.
NCIC has urged the members of the public to report any suspicious immigration activities to the relevant officials.
