A weekend operation led by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) in Kampala resulted in the arrest of 135 illegal immigrants. The operation, overseen by Maj Gen Apollo Kasiita-Gowa, was prompted by local tips suggesting an influx of suspected illegal immigrants in Kabalagala and Kansanga areas.
DCIC deployed a team accompanied by covert security personnel to raid various establishments including restaurants, bars, hotels, shops, and supermarkets. Initially apprehending 335 individuals engaged in work or leisure activities, DCIC subsequently screened them.
During the screening process, 200 individuals were found possessing valid documents such as student passes, dependent passes, work permits, and tourism visas, leading to their release. However, the remaining 135 individuals were confirmed to lack necessary immigration documents and were subsequently detained.
Arithea Nakiwala, Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), announced that the illegal immigrants would be presented in court before the week’s end. She explained that other suspects were picked up from Muyenga and Ggaba, where individuals from countries including Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Congo, and China were apprehended.
The courts will adjudicate their cases, potentially imposing fines, deportation, or detention. Nakiwala emphasized the importance of legalizing one’s stay in Uganda and urged immigrants to apply for relevant documents such as dependent passes for spouses and children of workers, and student passes for those studying in Uganda.
“We urge all foreign immigrants to apply for documents legalizing their stay. If you are a child or a spouse of a person working in Uganda, you should apply for a dependent pass. If you are a student here for studies, you should apply for a student pass,” Nakiwala stressed.
She highlighted universities and secondary schools in urban areas as key institutions where students are often found without proper documentation, pointing out discrepancies in guidance regarding visa and student pass applications.
