Up to 43 Ugandans have been arrested over US visa fraud, a top official at the Ugandan Embassy in Kampala has revealed.
James V Bloomer, Senior Regional Security Officer at the US embassy in Kampala, says the 43 arrested applicants have been handed over to Uganda Police Force.
Bloomer listed forged birth certificates and fake academic credentials among the falsified supporting documents that landed some applicants seeking entry to the United States into trouble.
Other applicants had issues with their financial statements, with some even presenting counterfeit currency.
The arrests for applicants accused of plotting to use fraudulent documents to get US visas, were made between July 2025 and March 2026, according to Bloomer.
“Since July 2025, we have had 43 people attempt to use fake documents to obtain visas and travel to U.S. They have all been arrested,” said Bloomer.
“They were stopped at the U.S Embassy and handed over to the Ugandan police for prosecution.”
Bloomer further noted that the United States would continue to welcome Ugandans seeking to travel for business, tourism, education, and other legitimate purposes.
He advised Ugandans applying for US visas to get acquainted with the process of application and the regulations to be followed, warning them against using third parties, middlemen and brokers in the quest to secure the coveted US visa.
“The visa application process should only involve you and the embassy. You do not need to hire anyone to help you acquire a visa, as they may not give you the right information,” said Bloomer.
He warned that there would continue to be consequences for those who apply for the US visa using fraudulent documents.
“When you apply for a visa, please do not submit false documents, as doing so will prevent you from obtaining a visa. For example, if you show up with a fraudulent birth certificate, you will not get a visa,” warned Bloomer.
“If you are trying to go to a university in the U.S. and you present fake educational documents, you will not be granted a visa.”
Uganda Police Spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke noted that Ugandans are increasingly being targeted by con men posing as middlemen or go-betweens who falsely claim to have connections within government offices and institutions.
These criminals, continued Rusoke, impersonate officials from government agencies, ministries, NGOs, banks, telecom companies, and other public bodies in order to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
The police spokesperson further noted that fraudsters target people without knowledge of official procedures, those who are under pressure, seeking shortcuts, or urgently looking for solutions.
You can read about new US visa rules for Ugandans as released recently Here.
