The Magistrate’s Court in Masaka has ordered police and immigration authorities to facilitate the deportation of 67 Congolese nationals accused of illegally entering and residing in Uganda.
The group was arrested on Sunday during a church service at Sumaya Church, a born-again congregation located in Mukudde Zone, Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Masaka City.
While presenting the case, State Prosecutor Abraham Akandehako told the court that the accused persons were found without any form of identification documents, a situation he said posed a threat to national security.
He requested the court to caution the suspects before imposing a sentence and ordering their deportation.
Grade One Magistrate Selsa Biwaga convicted 66 of the accused after they pleaded guilty to the charges. The magistrate subsequently directed police to coordinate with the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control to ensure their repatriation to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
However, one of the suspects, identified as Amin Ibrahim, denied the charges. He was remanded until July 2 for further proceedings.
Before sentencing, one of the convicted individuals, Patrick Rukoza, told the court that they had fled to Uganda to escape conflict in eastern DRC. He added that many members of the group had been living in Nyendo for more than two years.
Several of the accused pleaded with the court to allow them to first return home and collect their children before deportation.
However, Magistrate Biwaga declined the request, but noted separating parents from their children would not be in the best interests of the families.
Instead, she instructed immigration officials and police to trace the children and ensure they are reunited with their parents before the deportation process is completed.
Following the court ruling, the Congolese nationals were transferred to Masaka Central Police Station, where they will remain as authorities finalize arrangements for their return to the DRC.
