SOROTI.
Police in Soroti City have seized 261 passports and other immigration-related documents which were being sold illegally.
The operation was conducted on Sunday following intelligence reports about suspicious activities in Orwadai Cell, Soroti City.
According to Ibrahim Saiga, the East Kyoga Regional Police Commander, officers were alerted to the illegal sale of passports.
“When we conducted our investigation, we recovered several documents, including certificates and vaccination cards, at the scene in Orwadai Cell,” Saiga said, adding that the documents are suspected to be part of a larger network involved in passport forgery and trafficking.
He confirmed that one suspect was arrested during the operation, but is being withheld from the media as police continue pursuing accomplices linked to the racket.
“We are working tirelessly to track down all those involved in this illegal activity,” Saiga said, urging the public to cooperate with authorities.
Police say investigations are ongoing to ensure all those involved are brought to justice. Saiga urged members of the public to report any information regarding fraudulent documents to the relevant authorities, assuring confidentiality and anonymity for informants.
Authorities warned that involvement in passport fraud carries serious legal consequences under the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act. “Unlawful alteration or forgery of a passport attracts a fine of up to 100 currency points or imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Possession of an illegal passport carries a fine of up to 60 currency points or imprisonment of up to two years, or both, while issuing or distributing illegal passports attracts a penalty of up to 400 currency points or imprisonment of up to five years, or both,” police warned.
The police commander emphasized the importance of public vigilance in combating document fraud, which poses a significant threat to national security. “We urge the public to remain vigilant and support efforts to combat document fraud,” Saiga said.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by police to crack down on passport forgery and trafficking networks in the region.