More than 700 foreign nationals, the majority of them Chinese, have been arrested during a major security operation in Garuga, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso District, over alleged involvement in cyber-enabled fraud and other digital crimes.
The operation, led by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) with support from other security agencies, targeted Katomi Country Resort and Garuga Country Resort, where the suspects are believed to have been residing and operating.
Katomi Country Resort is owned by former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya.
Security sources familiar with the investigation said many of the suspects had been living at the two facilities for more than three months before the operation was launched.
Investigators also suspect that a significant number of the foreign nationals were in Uganda without valid immigration documents authorising them to live or work in the country.
During the raid, security officers recovered numerous travel documents, including passports from China, Vietnam, Cambodia and several other countries, which are now being examined as part of the investigation.
Authorities also seized hundreds of desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, computer servers, digital storage devices and networking equipment. The exhibits have been submitted for forensic analysis to establish the nature and extent of the alleged criminal activities.
According to preliminary findings, the premises are suspected to have been operating as bases for online fraud, illegal call centre operations and other forms of cyber-enabled crime targeting victims both within Uganda and abroad.
Investigators are also examining whether the network was involved in sophisticated online scams that defrauded Ugandans and other victims using digital communication platforms.
The arrests are among the largest coordinated operations against suspected cybercrime syndicates in Uganda in recent years and come amid increased efforts by security agencies to crack down on transnational organised crime, online fraud and human trafficking networks operating within the country.
By Friday evening, authorities had not issued an official statement confirming the exact number of suspects, the specific offences under investigation or the amount of money believed to have been generated through the alleged criminal enterprise.
The suspects are expected to undergo screening by investigators, immigration officials and other agencies as forensic experts analyse the recovered electronic devices. Those found to have violated Uganda's immigration or criminal laws are expected to be charged in court.
The Criminal Investigations Directorate is expected to provide further details as investigations progress.
