11 Foreign Nationals Face Deportation for Illegal Entry into Uganda

Eleven foreign nationals have been ordered to leave Uganda following their conviction for illegal entry into the country. The group, consisting of seven individuals from Somalia and four from Ethiopia, appeared before the Busia Chief Magistrate’s Court and admitted guilt to the charges.

Presiding Magistrate Thomas Okoth handed down a sentence of six months imprisonment or a fine of Shs500,000 to each of the convicted individuals. Alongside the custodial or financial penalty, the court mandated their deportation from Uganda.

The prosecution informed the court that the group had crossed into Uganda from Kenya via unofficial routes, specifically the Sofia and Mawero border points in Busia Town, without possessing the necessary immigration documents. They were reportedly being transported by a suspected human trafficker whose vehicle was intercepted by police.

While the 11 foreigners were apprehended, the driver of the vehicle managed to evade capture. The prosecution highlighted the ongoing challenge of illegal entries in the Busia District due to its numerous porous borders. Concerns were also raised about potential security risks and the spread of diseases from individuals entering without valid health documentation, particularly given the ongoing civil conflicts in their home countries.

The defendants, who spoke through interpreters, pleaded guilty and requested leniency, stating they were first-time offenders. The court’s decision, referencing Section 60(1) of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, reflects the penalties for illegal entry, which can include imprisonment, fines, and deportation.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/11-face-deportation-for-entering-uganda-illegally-5632800