14 Foreigners Nabbed for Dodging Immigration Laws (and Marrying Ugandans)

(Busia) – The immigration enforcement team in Busia recently nabbed 14 foreigners who had decided to treat Uganda like that relative’s house where you go for a short visit and somehow end up living there for years. Apparently, they thought they could “beat” the system – you know, stay a little longer, work a little on the side, and maybe even marry a Ugandan girl or two. But, as it turns out, even love needs a work permit in Uganda.

The suspects, arrested on September 17, 2024, include nationals from India, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Nigeria. Now, for most Ugandans, the idea of overstaying a welcome is nothing new. Just ask anyone who’s ever tried to leave a village gathering before the speeches begin – you’re likely to get detained with a plate of food. But these foreigners seem to have taken the art of “overstaying” to a whole new level. Some had visas that expired years ago, but they decided to stay and work anyway, as though the visa expiration date was more of a polite suggestion than an actual deadline.

According to Simon Peter Mundeyi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, these aliens were caught with their hands in the cookie jar – working without proper documentation. Some had entered the country with tourist visas that gave them a three month pass, but instead of booking a return flight, they decided to build entire lives here.

“We have even found some who have been living here for ten years because they married Ugandan girls,” Mundeyi said, clearly baffled. Imagine, ten years of marriage without so much as a whisper to immigration about getting proper papers! For anyone who’s ever attended a Ugandan introduction ceremony, it’s hard to picture how someone could survive a decade of in laws’ questioning without sorting out their stay.

And while many in Uganda might appreciate the hustle, the government does not. Mundeyi emphasized that although marriage is a beautiful thing, it doesn’t exempt anyone from the law. “But of course, they did this illegally,” he added. “They have never registered for documents to allow them first of all to stay here, but most importantly to engage in marriage.” Marriage might help you blend into the community, but it won’t help you dodge immigration.

Now, for those wondering what happens next, Mundeyi assured that the group is headed to court. But there’s a twist – not everyone caught up in this immigration raid will face the same fate. Those with minor infractions, such as overstaying by a few months, will be allowed to apply for proper documentation and carry on with life. However, for the real veterans – the ones who’ve been here for a decade – the government has slapped a fine of $30 (about UGX 120,000) for each day they overstayed. That’s the price of ignoring visa rules, and it adds up fast.

For anyone whose pocket can’t handle the math, it’s safe to say that some of these individuals will owe more money than it would cost to buy a boda boda or a few cows for bride price in the village. And for those who can’t pay, deportation is the next stop.

To avoid such drama, Mundeyi urged all foreign nationals to ensure they meet Uganda’s immigration requirements. He reminded them that applying for visas and work permits is as easy as going online to www.visas.immigration.go.ug. For most, the biggest expense is a work permit, which costs $2,500 (about UGX 9 million) per year. That might seem steep, but compared to the $30 a day penalty, it’s a much better deal.

In Uganda, we know a thing or two about being hospitable – you can visit any household and be offered food, no matter how unexpected the visit. But even here, you can’t just show up, stay for years, and expect not to get a polite but firm tap on the shoulder from immigration. So to all foreigners thinking of setting up shop in Uganda, just remember: love and hospitality are free, but work permits are not.