10/7/2026
Ugandan security agencies have detained more than 1,000 foreign nationals, the vast majority of them Chinese, in what sources described as one of the country’s largest operations against an alleged transnational cybercrime syndicate accused of orchestrating online fraud, hacking critical infrastructure and running illegal call centres.
The joint operation, led by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), targeted multiple locations around Kampala and Wakiso District, including Kingdom Resort Katomi in Wakiso District, a property associated with former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya, according to several security sources familiar with the investigation.
The sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said approximately 430 suspects were arrested at Kingdom Resort Katomi, while hundreds more were rounded up from three neighbouring apartment blocks.
Additional arrests were made in Kampala suburbs including Naguru and Kansanga, bringing the total number of detainees to more than 1,000.
“The suspects are being held at a secured warehouse in Namanve, Wakiso district, as investigators process the arrests and examine evidence recovered during the operation,” said a credible source.
Security officers seized hundreds of computers, servers, mobile phones, storage devices and networking equipment, which have been sent for forensic examination.
According to the security sources, preliminary investigations indicate the premises served as major hubs for an organised transnational cybercrime network operating sophisticated online scam centres and fraudulent call centres targeting victims both within Uganda and abroad.
