By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: “Nobody was kidnapped. This was an exercise by the Ugandan immigration and all those people were released after they presented their documents were released and South Sudanese lives are not at risk in Uganda. We appeal to the government and the Ugandan authorities so that in future, if there is an exercise like this, they should notify us when our citizens are arrested.” H.E Simon Juach Deng, the South Sudan Ambassador to Uganda said in a statement.
About 15 South Sudanese, including other nationalities were rounded up on Friday 2nd, February/2024 from Azamarino Hotel near International University of East Africa, Kasanga through an exercise carried out by the Uganda Department of Migration, related to the irregular stay. Some of these people were found not to have legal documents at the time of arrest. At the time of arrest, these had gone to work out, (in a gym).
Ambassador Deng told press that they became aware of the detention of some of their nationals (South Sudan Students in Uganda) and immediately commissioned a team from the Embassy in Kampala that liaised with that of immigration to intervene. He stated that, in less than 24 hours, students were released.
“Some of them are here, I will ask them to come here so that the media also sees that these people are actually out.” He said. He asked South Sudanese in Uganda to make sure you have the right documentation to live, reside and work in Uganda.
“This will help ensure that you are not harassed. So this exercise is equivalent to silent sight we also do back home. Yes, we have a visa-free arrangement, but that doesn’t mean you overstay. If you want to stay further, You seek extension so that you have valid and legal documentation to stay. So this is what i want South Sudanese people to understand, yes you can get your free visa but once that time is over you have to come back through immigration and make sure you extend your stay.” He appealed.
He called on South Sudan nationals that in case they have issues related to travel documents, they can reach out to the embassy, stating, there is a full immigration team that can support them to make sure they have their legal documents to live legally in Uganda, he went on to share a hotline number for the Embassy that they can call to have their issues sorted. The number is +256-414-230272, X (Formally TWITTER) @EmbassyRssUg, Facebook: Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan Uganda-Kampala
He appealed to South Sudanese in Uganda who don’t have refugee status to update their migration status so that they can live in Uganda as law abiding citizens. “So to live here you enter, you get your visa for 90 days, if it’s expiring you go back to the Department of Migration to give reasons why you need to stay more than 3 months and make sure that it is extended. All students must process their student visas through their various schools, it’s free of charge. You remember in September last year we had a student visa fee, a student pass, free of charge.” He advised.
“According to the East Africa Community Charter, It gives VISA for 90 days, but after that you need to renew your stay. That’s very important. People think we are East Africans, we travel freely? Yes, we are not paying visa fees, but if you are staying more than 90 days, you have to extend your stay. Therefore, all South Sudanese are encouraged to process their national documents like passport and IDs to avoid inconvenience.” He added.
Amb. Deng cautioned South Sudan nationals to avoid a situation of not having any legal documents on them, asked them, whenever they move, to carry their identity documents, either student ID, or VISA to show they are legally staying in Uganda.
“We need to ensure we have the regular documentation, It is only back at home in South Sudan where you can go with your ID and nobody is going to ask you for VISA but when you are in a foreign land, you need to have your documentation on you.” He appealed.
He thanked the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, General Otafiire, the senior immigration officials for prompt action during that exercise on Friday.
Following the arrests and detention, Immigration Chief, Brig. Gen. Majok Peter Majok at the South Sudan Embassy in Kampala made a follow-up with the relevant authorities on Saturday and successfully managed to aide release of 14 of the detainees.
“They came in as POLICE and they asked them that ‘we are doing operations in this place’, they asked them, ‘show your ID and they ask for the visa’ and obviously when somebody asks you for the visa, it is an obvious case that this is an immigration officer. The people standing here are the group of students who were detained and now released. Yes, they were taken up, but they are here safe and well.” He clarified.
Arrested Students, while at the Embassy confessed, they were well treated throughout until when officials worked with ministry of internal affairs to have them out.
On a phone call with Simon Peter Mundeyi, the Spokesperson of Uganda’s Ministry of internal Affairs, confirmed the arrest and release of these students. He said its an arrangement of the Immigration office to regularly check the status of foreign nationals living in Uganda and that after verifying their documents, they are freed to enjoy their stay in the Pearl of Africa.
He added, for East African community nationals are allowed to freely live in Uganda provided they regalize their documentation and that they work with Embassies in case of operations to ease the process of freeing them.
He however informed that, the ministry has awareness programs over the media through weekly press briefings conducted jointly with Uganda Police Force and Uganda Prisons Service which should be heed to.
Voice Simon Peter Mundeyi, the Spokesperson of Uganda’s Ministry of internal Affairs
WhatsApp Audio 2024-02-07 at 12.03.21