The United States Embassy in Uganda has arrested 43 individuals for allegedly forging documents in attempts to obtain visas.
This was confirmed by James Bloomer, the Senior Regional Security Officer at the American Embassy in Kampala, while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre.
Bloomer urged the public to avoid using middlemen when applying for visas, noting that such intermediaries often mislead applicants and contribute to fraudulent practices.
He emphasized that the visa application process should strictly remain between the applicant and the embassy.
Bloomer warned that anyone caught submitting forged or fake documents risks being permanently denied a visa at the U.S. Embassy.
Bloomer also cautioned applicants against paying any so-called “visa bonds” unless they have officially received confirmation that their visa has been approved.
The United States Government recently introduced a refundable visa bond ranging between **USD 5,000 and USD 15,000 for certain business and tourist travelers as part of measures aimed at reducing visa overstays.
Meanwhile, Kituuma Rusoke, spokesperson for the Uganda Police Force, noted that middlemen are not only present in visa application processes but also operate within several government service areas.
He appealed to Ugandans to avoid shortcuts when seeking services, warning that such practices often lead to the use of forged documents and other illegal activities.
By Olivia Nabaggala
16th March 2026
End.
