A number of officials at the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) together with a top official from the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control have been rounded up over a fresh passport and National Identity-related scam.
This comes after a Pakistani national was found in possession of a Ugandan NAtional ID and a Passport, documents that are a reserve to Ugandan nationals.
The Pakistani national identified as Mahmoud is also behind bars at Kabalagala Police Station.
Sources familiar with forgery say that Davis Kwesiga was identified by Mahmoud as the officer who issued the national ID to the foreigner. Kwesiga is the district IT officer for Mukono district.
It is not yet clear what it required the Pakistani for Kwesiga to issue him with the Ugandan national ID but what is known is that NIRA officials have of recent been under the spotlight for selling National IDs to foreigners who need them.
Various authorities including the police confirm that Kwesiga is under custody to help with the ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, Ronald Obel from the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control has also been arrested for having reportedly recommended the Pakistani for the Ugandan national ID. Obel also reportedly picked the Ugandan passport for the Pakistani.
The arrests are said to have been made on Wednesday although Obel is said to have secured police bond and was released on Friday.
Gilbert Kadilo, the NIRA spokesman told the New Vision that Kwesiga was arrested over the matter although he did not divulge details.
Similarly, Mr Jacob Simiyu, the immigration spokesman confirmed that Obel had been arrested over irregular issuance of passports.
According to sources, Ugandan officials help foreigners who come to Uganda with lots of money and want to do business without paying for work permits.
How they do it
The process starts with foreigners forging academic documents and birth certificates, which are used by quack lawyers and certain immigration officials to get the passports or National IDs.
In other cases, forgeries start with village Local Council chairpersons, who give recommendations to foreigners as citizens to enable them to get passports or National IDs. The process usually takes, at most, two days to avoid delay and exposure to authorities.