Police in Kisoro District have arrested 10 nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for allegedly entering Uganda illegally through an ungazetted border point.
The suspects were arrested on November 7, 2026, by a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) enforcement team in Echuya National Park, where they had allegedly trespassed into the protected area.
According to a statement issued on November 8 by Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime, the suspects reportedly crossed into Uganda through a porous border point, bypassing the gazetted Bunagana border post without valid travel documents or undergoing immigration clearance and health screening.
The suspects were reportedly travelling to Kampala through Kabale District when they were intercepted inside the national park.
Police said the suspects failed to produce valid identification or travel documents during interrogation and could not satisfactorily explain the purpose of their visit to Uganda.
They have been identified as Shameshu Makele Espoir, Alliance Busomeke, Ngabucha Love, Merveille Justine Odhua, Akilimali Balume, Asifiwe Chintalia, Jakisa Kermundu, Kukuni Mukulumanya, Iragi Chebuluzi Bahati and Mukengere Biralungira.
They are being held at Kisoro Central Police Station on charges of illegal entry into Uganda, contrary to the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act, as investigations continue.
Police have warned foreign nationals against entering the country through ungazetted border points, urging them to use recognised border posts and possess valid travel documents.
“Anyone found entering Uganda illegally will be arrested and prosecuted or repatriated,” Tumushime said.
Police also cautioned Ugandans against aiding illegal immigrants by harbouring, transporting or employing them, warning that those found engaging in such activities would face arrest.
Tumushime urged the public to report suspicious persons and illegal border crossings to the nearest police station.
The arrests come at a time when Kisoro District is grappling with heightened security concerns following a series of deadly shooting incidents.
The latest incident involved the murder of Kiyaga, the founder and executive director of Deaf Link Uganda (DLU), who was shot dead at Mucha Lodges along the Mutolere-Nyundo road near Lake Mulehe.
Kiyaga was killed on the night of November 5 during an exchange of gunfire between police officers and unidentified assailants who attacked the hotel.
A police officer guarding the premises was also injured during the 2am attack. Preliminary reports indicate that Kiyaga sustained about seven gunshot wounds.
Speaking on Saturday, Kisoro Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Dan Ndikumwami said six people had been arrested to assist police with investigations into the murder.
The suspects include four hotel employees, a tour guide and a police officer.
Ndikumwami said security officials had also held a community meeting with residents living near the scene of the shooting to gather information that could help investigators.
He added that he had been conducting radio talk shows urging landlords to register details of their tenants to prevent suspected criminals from using the community as a hideout.
The incident came barely three weeks after another fatal shooting in the district.
On October 17, unidentified assailants shot dead businessman Africano Nteziyaremye and his wife, Peace Kyompeire, at about 11pm as they arrived at their home in Zindiro Cell, Kamonyi Ward, Kisoro Municipality.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Tumushime has appealed to residents across Kisoro District to cooperate with security agencies by providing information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of those behind the recent attacks.
