Ugandan authorities arrested dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration in Kampala, Uganda, April 28, 2026.
Ugandan authorities have arrested dozens of foreigners as part of an intensified crackdown on illegal migration across the country.
Officials said at least 231 people were detained in operations carried out since Monday. The raids targeted groups of foreigners living in northern Uganda, as well as another group discovered inside a secured compound in the capital, Kampala.
Uganda’s Immigration Department spokesperson, Simon Peter Mundeyi, said many of those arrested had no passports, identification documents, or legal travel papers.
He added that they were found with computers inside a self-contained facility equipped with a restaurant, recreational areas, and strict movement restrictions.
According to Mundeyi, those inside the compound were allegedly prevented from leaving or receiving visitors, raising suspicions of organised trafficking and cyber fraud activities.
The Foreign Ministry believes many of the foreigners may have entered Uganda individually before later being assembled into larger groups by criminal networks.
Authorities also suspect some victims were lured into the country with false job offers before having their passports confiscated.
Security agencies say investigations are ongoing to identify those behind the operation, including individuals holding the migrants’ travel documents and coordinating their stay.
Officials confirmed that those currently in custody include suspected trafficking victims, possible perpetrators, and individuals accused of overstaying their visas.
