Overview:
The latest operation was executed on Monday, where police acted on high-level intelligence gathered from community tips regarding suspicious activities. Ibrahim Saiga, the East Kyoga Regional Police Commander, confirmed the ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal passport circulation.
The East Kyoga Regional Police have seized an additional 264 passports sold illegally, raising the total number of recovered illegal passports to 525. This operation follows a previous seizure of 261 passports and other immigration-related documents that were confiscated on Sunday in Orwadai cell, Soroti City.
The latest operation was executed on Monday, where police acted on high-level intelligence gathered from community tips regarding suspicious activities. Ibrahim Saiga, the East Kyoga Regional Police Commander, confirmed the ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal passport circulation. “So far, we have recovered 525 illegal passports. We have reliable information suggesting that more illegal passports are being held in Kampala, and we are intensifying our operations to locate and recover them,” Saiga stated.
During the operations, police apprehended two suspects linked to the illegal passport sales. “We have detained two suspects, but we are withholding their identities from the media as we continue our investigation and search for their accomplices,” Saiga explained.
The authorities are proactively pursuing leads, ensuring that all individuals involved in this illicit operation are brought to justice. Saiga revealed that the police have reached out to the immigration office for assistance in verifying the authenticity of the recovered passports. “We are currently awaiting their response, which will be crucial for our ongoing investigation and future court proceedings against the suspects,” he added.
Authorities have issued a stern warning about the serious legal implications of involvement in passport fraud under the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act. Offenders found guilty of unlawful alteration or forgery of a passport may face fines of up to 100 currency points or imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
Possession of an illegal passport can result in a fine of up to 60 currency points or a two-year prison term, while those found issuing or distributing illegal passports may incur penalties of up to 400 currency points or imprisonment of up to five years, or both. The police are urging the public to assist in this effort by reporting any information related to fraudulent documents to the relevant authorities.
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