Uganda Arrests 231 Foreign Nationals Including Nigerians In Cybercrime Crackdown

Ugandan authorities have arrested 231 foreign nationals, including dozens of Nigerians, in two coordinated intelligence-led operations targeting irregular migration, undocumented residency, suspected cybercrime activities and possible human trafficking networks across the country.

The large-scale crackdown was carried out by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control under Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs between April 27 and 28, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to combat transnational organised crime and tighten immigration enforcement.

According to officials, the first operation took place on April 27 in Adjumani District, northern Uganda, where immigration enforcement teams arrested 62 Nigerian nationals allegedly residing and operating in the country without valid work permits or immigration documentation.

Authorities disclosed that some members of the group were allegedly running an unlicensed church and engaging in other unauthorised business activities despite lacking legal residency status. The operation was reportedly launched following intelligence reports and complaints from local residents.

A second operation was later conducted overnight in the upscale Bukoto-Ntinda area of Kampala, where security operatives raided a heavily guarded apartment complex and detained 169 additional foreign nationals, including 36 women.

Officials said the suspects came from several countries, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia.

READ ALSO:

• Why I Attacked Female Police Officers With Baton — Suspect
• House of Reps Push for 18-Month Extension on Reassignment of Inactive Phone Numbers
• OAU Shuts Campus for Three Weeks After Students’ Protest Over Transport

Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson, Simon Peter Mundeyi, said the apartment complex had features that raised security concerns, including controlled entry systems and restricted internal movement.

According to him, the facility appeared structured to support organised illegal operations while limiting access to outsiders.

During searches carried out at the premises, immigration and security officials reportedly recovered computers, mobile devices and other information technology equipment suspected to have been used for cyber scamming, online fraud, illegal betting and other internet-related crimes.

Preliminary investigations also suggested that some of the detained individuals may have been victims of human trafficking schemes after allegedly being lured into Uganda with false job promises, while others are suspected to be directly involved in organised cybercrime networks operating within East Africa.

Authorities revealed that many of those arrested were unable to provide valid passports, visas or work permits during the screening process.

All 231 suspects are currently being held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs facility in Namanve, where they are undergoing profiling, immigration verification and further investigations ahead of prosecution.

Officials stated that individuals found guilty of violating Uganda’s immigration laws could face deportation, financial penalties and possible blacklisting from re-entering the country.

The Ugandan government described the operations as part of a broader national strategy aimed at preventing the country from becoming a hub for transnational cybercrime syndicates, human trafficking rings and illegal migration networks.

Authorities also warned landlords and property owners to verify the immigration status of foreign tenants before renting out apartments or business spaces to them.

Members of the public were further encouraged to continue sharing intelligence with security agencies regarding suspicious activities involving undocumented foreigners or organised criminal networks.

As of the time of filing this report, Ugandan authorities had not publicly released the identities of the arrested individuals.

Uganda Arrests 231 Foreign Nationals Including Nigerians In Cybercrime Crackdown

US, AU Condemn Coordinated Terror Attacks on Military Bases Across Mali

The United States and the African Union (AU) have strongly condemned a wave of coordinated terrorist attacks in Mali that targeted multiple military installations across the country on Saturday, including the capital Bamako and several strategic cities.

The attacks, which began around 6 a.m. local time, were described by Mali’s army as simultaneous assaults carried out by unidentified armed groups on key military positions in Mali.

The Malian Armed Forces reported that the attackers struck several high-value targets, including the heavily fortified Kati military base, which houses major barracks and is located near the residence of the country’s military leadership. Other affected locations include areas close to Modibo Keita International Airport in Bamako, as well as military positions in northern cities such as Gao and Kidal, and the central town of Sévaré in the Mopti region.

Eyewitnesses reported loud explosions, heavy gunfire, and the deployment of military helicopters as security forces responded rapidly to contain the situation.

The Malian army said its troops engaged the attackers in multiple locations and inflicted heavy losses, adding that several assailants were neutralised during the clashes. Security operations are still ongoing, with the military conducting clearance and sweep operations to secure affected areas and prevent further attacks. Authorities also urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified reports as the situation remains fluid.

READ ALSO:

• Adelabu Resigns as Power Minister Despite Tinubu’s Opposition
• ‘Nigeria’s Breakup Likely Inevitable,’ Ex-US Mayor Tells Congress
• Army Dismantles IPOB Camp, Recovers Remains of Slain Soldier Couple in Imo

Although no group has claimed responsibility, security analysts say the scale and coordination of the attacks are consistent with tactics previously linked to JNIM (Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin), an al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group operating in the Sahel region.

The United States government condemned the attacks, expressing condolences to victims and reaffirming its commitment to supporting counterterrorism efforts in West Africa. The U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a security advisory urging American citizens to shelter in place and avoid movement in high-risk areas, including Kati and routes leading to the international airport.

Washington said it remains committed to working with regional partners to promote peace, stability, and security in the Sahel.

The African Union Commission also condemned the attacks, describing them as a serious threat to both civilian populations and regional stability. AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed solidarity with the Malian government and people, warning that continued violence risks further destabilising the broader Sahel region. He reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to supporting peacebuilding, governance reforms, and counter-extremism efforts across West Africa.

Mali has faced more than a decade of insecurity driven by jihadist insurgency, ethnic violence, and political instability, worsened by successive military coups. Despite ongoing cooperation with foreign military partners, including Russian-backed forces, armed groups continue to launch deadly attacks on both military and civilian targets.

Security experts say the latest coordinated assault highlights the growing sophistication of militant networks and the continuing challenge of restoring full control in remote and urban areas.

Casualty figures remain unconfirmed as military operations continue across multiple regions. Authorities say some areas are gradually being stabilised, but clearance operations are still ongoing. The attacks are being described as one of the most coordinated and widespread security incidents in Mali in recent years, raising renewed concerns over terrorism in the Sahel region.

US, AU Condemn Coordinated Terror Attacks on Military Bases Across Mali

Xenophobia Fears Rise in South Africa as Viral Videos Show Attacks on African Migrants

Fresh concerns over xenophobia in South Africa have emerged after viral social media videos showed groups of South Africans confronting and assaulting African immigrants, including a Ghanaian national, amid growing anti-foreigner sentiment in some communities.

In one widely circulated clip, a group of South Africans is seen questioning a Ghanaian man about his immigration status and presence in the country. A woman speaking for the group said migrants were no longer welcome.

“This thing of you guys moving from one country to another is no longer working,” she said. “We don’t want these African people anymore… we don’t want you here; we want you to fix your countries.”

The group also accused the migrant of overstaying or misusing travel documentation, while a man in the video interrogated him about his legal status and warned him to inform others to leave before facing similar treatment.

Another video shows a separate incident in which a man believed to be Ghanaian was physically assaulted by individuals reportedly linked to local residents. The footage has sparked widespread outrage online, with many users calling for arrests and stronger protection for foreign nationals.

READ ALSO:

• MTN Credits Nigerians Airtime as NCC Enforces Poor Service Compensation Rule
• US Resumes Executions as Trump Reintroduces Firing Squad Option
• After Six Years in Custody, Court Fixes Trial for Patience Jonathan’s Ex-Workers

In a third clip, a South African man filming himself at night expressed anger over unemployment and living conditions, blaming foreign nationals for economic hardship. He said migrants were “sleeping comfortably” while locals were “out in the cold,” and insisted they should “go back to their countries.”

The videos, which began trending on Tuesday, have intensified debate around anti-immigrant violence in South Africa, a recurring issue tied to unemployment, poverty, and competition for informal jobs.

Authorities in South Africa have not yet released a full official statement on the viral footage, but police are expected to investigate incidents of assault and harassment captured in the videos, which could amount to criminal offences under South African law.

Meanwhile, tensions are rising in parts of the country. In Mthatha, a town in the Eastern Cape province, residents are reportedly preparing for protests scheduled for Thursday. Organisers say the demonstration is aimed at addressing concerns over foreign nationals in local communities and rising unemployment among South Africans.

Civil society groups and migrant rights organisations have condemned the videos, warning that such rhetoric and violence risk escalating into broader unrest. They are urging authorities to ensure the safety of all foreign nationals and uphold constitutional protections against discrimination and hate speech.

The developments have reignited continental concern over xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which have previously resulted in deaths, displacement of migrants, and diplomatic tensions across Africa.

Xenophobia Fears Rise in South Africa as Viral Videos Show Attacks on African Migrants