news 28 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
ISO and DIS to Vet 231 Foreigners Arrested for Illegal Entry in Uganda
Ugandan authorities have arrested 231 foreign nationals in two operations for lacking valid permits and suspected criminal activities, with ISO and DIS now screening them. Violators face prosecution amid rising human trafficking concerns. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/iso-dis-to-screen-foreigners-arrested-over-illegal-entry-5440104
The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that 231 foreign nationals arrested in recent operations will undergo thorough screening by the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) and Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS).
Spokesperson Simon Peter Mundeyi stated that the process, expected to last about seven days, aims to verify how the suspects entered Uganda and check for immigration violations.
In the first operation on April 27, 62 Nigerians were detained in Adjumani District for operating without work permits, including running a church.
The second raid, from late April 27 to 28 in Kampala’s Bukoto-Ntinda area, nabbed 169 individuals, including 36 women, from a restricted apartment complex. Searches uncovered computers and IT gear linked to illegal gaming, betting, and online fraud.
Some suspects claim they were trafficked with job promises, while others are suspected of cyber fraud and other crimes. Mundeyi affirmed that lawbreakers will be prosecuted, with trafficking cases referred to relevant agencies.
This reflects intensified efforts against undocumented workers, driven by security and labor regulation needs. Section 59 of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act bans employing foreigners without permits, punishable by fines up to 150 currency points, two years imprisonment, or both.
Trafficking trends are rising, with 1,055 cases in 2024 per COPTIP, up from 1,006 in 2023, alongside increased prosecutions.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)