Kampala: everything we know so far

Uganda detains 231 foreigners in crackdown on possible human trafficking. Kampala has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Uganda.

Key facts

• Uganda detains 231 foreigners in crackdown on possible human trafficking.
• A Ugandan police officer walks past detainees seated in a room after authorities arrested dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration, in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda).
• Detainees sit in a room after Ugandan authorities arrested dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda).
• A Ugandan police officer escorts foreign nationals after authorities arrested dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration, in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda).
• At least 231 people have been detained since Monday in operations that targeted a group of Nigerians living in the country’s north, as well as another group of foreigners living together in a closed compound in Kampala, the capital.

What we know

Going deeper, a Ugandan police officer walks past detainees seated in a room after authorities arrested dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration, in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda).

On the substance, Detainees sit in a room after Ugandan authorities arrested dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda).

Beyond the headlines, a Ugandan police officer escorts foreign nationals after authorities arrested dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration, in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda).

More precisely, At least 231 people have been detained since Monday in operations that targeted a group of Nigerians living in the country’s north, as well as another group of foreigners living together in a closed compound in Kampala, the capital.

It is worth noting that Section 59 of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act prohibits the employment of non-Ugandans without valid entry permits.

By the numbers

At this stage, In a separate operation conducted on the night of April 27 to April 28 in the Bukoto–Ntinda area of Kampala, officers detained 169 foreign nationals found living in an apartment complex without valid immigration status.

On a related note, Over 200 illegal immigrants arrested in Kampala, Adjumani crackdowns According to Mundeyi, the suspects lacked all forms of identification, including travel passports.

Going deeper, Over 200 illegal immigrants arrested in Kampala, Adjumani crackdowns.

On the substance, Thirty-six of the 169 people found in the compound were women.

What they're saying

“Some individuals have claimed they were trafficked into Uganda with promises of employment,” the statement said. “Others were engaged in cyber-scamming activities.

The wider context

On a related note, Ugandan authorities say they have detained dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration that was likely linked to human traffickers and cyberscam operations.

Going deeper, KAMPALA, Uganda

On the substance, Uganda has a reputation for welcoming foreigners, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing violent conflict in neighboring countries such as Congo, Burundi and South Sudan.

Beyond the headlines, Addressing journalists in Kampala yesterday, Mr Mundeyi said the National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC) had carried out two major operations targeting irregular migration.

More precisely, Police tracing for woman shot by guard near Speaker Among’s home The Speaker's press team says she was en route to her home district, Bukedea, for a family event at the time of the shooting in Kampala.

The bottom line

• A Ugandan police officer walks past detainees seated in a room after authorities arrested dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration, in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda).
• A Ugandan police officer escorts foreign nationals after authorities arrested dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration, in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda).
• KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ugandan authorities said Tuesday that they have detained dozens of foreigners in a crackdown on illegal migration that the internal affairs ministry suggested was linked to human traffickers and cyberscam operations.
• Searches spiking right now: Wuuno avuga boda y’akagaali mu Kampala okuyimirizaawa famire ye, Police tracing for woman shot by guard near Speaker Among’s home, Police swoop nets 34 during operations in Kampala, Wak, KCCA set to roll out electric buses in Kampala this month, after cabinet approval.