14 Egyptians detained in Uganda deported to Egypt

CAIRO - 18 March 2019: The 14 Egyptians who were detained in Uganda because of forged residency documents were released and deported to Cairo on Monday, Minister of Emigration and Expatriates Affairs Nabila Makram announced.

The minister thanked Egypt’s Ambassador to Uganda Tarek Sallam for his efforts to resolve the situation.

Ugandan authorities had earlier announced the arrest of 14 Egyptians who were staying in the country using forged residency documents and selling products on the streets without permits.

Egyptian Ambassador to Uganda Tarek Sallam affirmed that four visits were paid to the police department where the Egyptian citizens are detained to follow-up on the investigations and make sure they are well.

The ambassador stated that there were attempts to convince Ugandan authorities to not transfer them to prison, and let them remain in the police department until the case is solved.

The 14 detainees refused to unveil the identity of individual(s) involved in providing them with the fake documents, according to the Ugandan authorities.

The ambassador clarified that Ugandan laws allow the army to check the residency documents and verify the identity of anyone on Ugandan territories.

Minister of Immigration and Expatriate Affairs Nabila Makram was following up on the case with Ambassador Sallam.