At least 43 Ugandans have been arrested at the U.S. Embassy Kampala after attempting to use forged documents while applying for United States visas since July 2025, officials have revealed.
The arrests were disclosed by James V. Bloomer, the Senior Regional Security Officer at the embassy, during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre.
Bloomer warned Ugandans against presenting falsified documents during visa applications, emphasizing that the United States welcomes legitimate travellers but maintains strict rules to safeguard the integrity of its immigration system.
“The U.S. is open for business. We welcome Ugandans who want to travel for business, tourism, study, or other purposes, but applicants must follow the correct procedures,” he said.
According to Bloomer, several visa applicants have been intercepted with fraudulent documents including forged birth certificates, fake academic credentials, counterfeit currency and even false claims of U.S. citizenship.
He explained that once an applicant is found presenting forged documents, the visa request is immediately rejected and the individual is detained at the embassy before being handed over to the Uganda Police Force for further investigation and prosecution.
“Since July 2025, we have arrested 43 people who attempted to use fake documents to obtain visas. They were stopped at the embassy and later handed over to Ugandan police,” Bloomer said.
He further warned that individuals caught submitting fraudulent documents are permanently flagged in the visa system and will not be considered for future U.S. visa applications.
Bloomer also cautioned applicants against using brokers or middlemen, stressing that the visa application process is strictly handled between the applicant and the embassy.
He noted that some applicants are also falling victim to scammers who claim they can influence visa decisions in exchange for money.
The embassy recently introduced a visa bond requirement for certain applicants, but Bloomer clarified that the bond should only be paid when a visa officer instructs an applicant during the official interview process.
“Do not pay anyone money for a visa bond before your interview. There are people out there trying to take advantage of applicants,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Uganda Police Force, Kituuma Rusoke, warned of a rising number of fraudsters impersonating government officials and visa facilitators to exploit unsuspecting applicants.
Rusoke said the suspects often pose as officials from government institutions, banks, telecommunications companies and non-governmental organisations. They typically use forged identity cards and fabricated introduction letters to convince victims that they can help them secure visas.
“These criminals mainly target people who are desperate to travel and looking for shortcuts in the visa process,” Rusoke said.
He explained that once the fraudsters receive money, they either disappear or continue demanding additional payments, leaving victims embarrassed and reluctant to report the incidents.
Rusoke urged the public to always verify information through official channels, including visiting government offices or contacting authorised hotlines.
He also encouraged victims of visa-related scams to report cases to police, emphasising that those who are defrauded are not criminals but victims of organised fraud.
Authorities have now urged Ugandans seeking visas to strictly follow official procedures and avoid shortcuts that could result in financial loss, visa denial or arrest.
