Simon Peter Mundeyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, has revealed that 853 foreigners who were detained during a six-month operation targeting illegal visitors and workers have been released after providing the necessary documents.
Mundeyi explained that during the operation conducted by the Directorate of Immigration and Legal Status (DILS), several suspects were arrested at workplaces based on information provided by locals regarding their illegal stay.
However, upon investigation, those who presented valid documents proving their legal status in the country were released.
Between July and December 2023, the Department of Inspection and Legal Services (DILS) in the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrested and questioned 1,655 foreigners suspected of staying illegally in Uganda.
These operations took place in various workplaces such as factories, warehouses, supermarkets, workshops, and shops, following reports from concerned Ugandans about foreigners working unlawfully in the country.
During these operations, DILS checked for valid passports, visas, work permits, student passes, or dependent passes. Out of the 1,655 foreigners arrested and investigated, 309 were found to have entered the country illegally and were subsequently deported.
Additionally, DILS identified 23 individuals as genuine asylum seekers who had recently arrived in Uganda or had applied to formalize their stay.
According to international law, genuine asylum seekers cannot be sent back to their home countries, so DILS handed them over to the Office of the Prime Minister for further assistance.
The DILS, led by Maj. Gen. Appolo Kasiita Gowa under the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC), is also investigating cases of human trafficking involving some of the arrested foreigners.
Colonel George Brian Kambare, the Commissioner in charge of Citizenship Control, has been actively leading operations against traffickers. Many individuals, primarily trafficking Ethiopian, Burundian, and Eritrean nationals, have been apprehended. Some of these traffickers are using Entebbe Airport as a transit point to Asian destinations, particularly Beirut in Lebanon.
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