Summary Pakistan says 27 nationals detained in Uganda’s crackdown will return home, as efforts continue to waive penalties and assist others.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan has confirmed that 27 of its nationals detained in Uganda during a recent crackdown on illegal migration are scheduled to depart for home today, as diplomatic efforts continue to facilitate the return of others and address penalties imposed by local authorities.
According to Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, the group will fly out from Uganda following their detention earlier this week in operations targeting undocumented foreign nationals. He added that around 30 more Pakistanis have expressed willingness to arrange their travel and are expected to leave soon.
The development follows large-scale enforcement actions by Ugandan authorities, who said at least 231 individuals had been detained since Monday. The operations targeted groups of foreign nationals residing in different parts of the country, including a cluster living in a highly restricted residential compound in Kampala.
Officials in Uganda stated that the crackdown was based on intelligence indicating that several foreigners were living or working in the country without proper documentation. In some cases, individuals were reportedly found without passports or valid legal status. The group in Kampala included nationals from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar and other countries.
Andrabi, speaking during a weekly media briefing in Islamabad, said the remaining Pakistani nationals would also be departing Uganda, as they were in the country on visit visas. He did not disclose the total number of Pakistanis detained in the operation but indicated that arrangements were being made to ensure their return in phases.
He further confirmed that Ugandan immigration authorities had imposed financial penalties on the detained individuals. However, Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Uganda is currently in contact with local authorities to seek relief from these fines.
“Our embassy team is engaged with Ugandan officials to have the financial penalties waived,” Andrabi said, noting that efforts were ongoing to resolve the matter through diplomatic channels.
Ugandan authorities have maintained that some of those detained claimed to have been trafficked into the country under false promises of employment, while others were suspected of involvement in cyber-related fraud. Officials also reported that certain individuals were found with materials suggesting links to other forms of criminal activity.
According to Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, individuals identified as victims of trafficking or those who had overstayed their visas would be assisted in leaving the country once they secured their own travel arrangements. Authorities added that those suspected of organising trafficking networks or acting as ringleaders could face formal charges before eventual deportation.
Simon Peter Mundeyi, spokesperson for Uganda’s internal affairs ministry, said enforcement agencies were continuing investigations into the detained individuals to determine their legal status and any potential involvement in criminal activities.
