The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced the arrest of three foreign nationals involved in a scheme to illegally acquire Ugandan passports.

In a statement released on August 13, 2024, the arrested include one Nigerian and two Cameroonians who were apprehended at the Kampala Central Office while attempting to submit fraudulent applications.

“The Nigerian national, identified as Rahman Adam Bolakale, reportedly presented a forged national ID under the name Makenke Rahman Adam,” the statement read in part.

Internal affairs noted that he falsely claimed to be of Ugandan descent, asserting that he was a Mufumbira with a Mufumbira father and a Muganda mother despite possessing a valid Nigerian passport.

“The two Cameroonian nationals, Sah Cruz Nyimaneke and Sah Yuri Kor-Nyui, who referred to themselves as Baganda Twins, also submitted fraudulent identification documents,” the statement added.

According to the statement, they held valid Cameroonian passports but attempted to misrepresent their identities in their applications.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized the strength and integrity of its passport system, assuring the public that measures are in place to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to exploit the system.

The ministry urged citizens to refrain from assisting foreigners in illegal activities related to passport acquisition, warning of severe legal consequences for those who do so.

The statement further stated that the legal team is currently conducting a thorough investigation in preparation for the prosecution of the arrested individuals.

The Ministry has called upon the public and encouraged anyone with information regarding similar fraudulent activities to contact their Public Relations Office for further assistance.

This incident highlights ongoing efforts by Ugandan authorities to combat passport fraud and maintain the integrity of national identification systems.