Over 260 passports recovered in second Soroti illegal document racket crackdown
Police also recovered yellow fever vaccination cards and Certificates of Good Conduct during the initial operation. Saiga said all documents have been secured as exhibits pending verification.
Saiga said all documents have been secured as exhibits pending verification. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)
SOROTI - Police in Soroti say they have recovered more travel documents as investigations continue into a suspected network dealing in unlawfully obtained immigration papers.
The latest recoveries follow an intelligence-led operation conducted on Sunday (February 22, 2026) in Orwadai Cell, Soroti city east division, where security operatives seized 261 passports.
Authorities said the documents were yet to be authenticated by the immigration department at the time.
On Monday (February 23) afternoon, officers made an additional recovery of 264 passports, bringing the total number of passports seized to 525.
According to Ibrahim Saiga, the Kyoga East Police region commander, two suspects have so far been arrested to assist with investigations.
“In an ongoing operation involving unlawful possession of travel documents under CRB 072/2026, efforts to trace accomplices and other suspects are still underway,” he said.
Yellow Fever vaccination cards
Police also recovered yellow fever vaccination cards and Certificates of Good Conduct during the initial operation.
Saiga said all documents have been secured as exhibits pending verification.
The Police cautioned the public against handing over passports to unlicensed agents and advised verification of recruitment companies with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development before engaging them.
Background
Cases involving fraudulent or illegally obtained travel documents have been reported in different parts of eastern Uganda in recent years, often linked to the growing demand for overseas jobs.
Security agencies have periodically mounted intelligence-led operations targeting brokers and middlemen suspected of exploiting job seekers, leading to arrests and recovery of forged or irregular immigration documents.
Authorities attribute the growing demand for passports in both rural and urban areas to increasing interest in overseas employment opportunities.
Police have not yet disclosed when the suspects will be arraigned in court, noting that investigations are ongoing and more arrests could follow. Names of those in custody remain withheld pending completion of inquiries.