Ugandan Woman Detained in Tabanan Without Passport, Faces Deportation
A Ugandan woman without a passport was detained by police and local security (pecalang) after allegedly entering a resident's property without permission in Kediri, Tabanan, Bali. Immigration authorities have transferred her to a detention center in Denpasar and are processing her deportation.
On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the Tabanan Class III Non-TPI Immigration Office transferred a Ugandan woman, identified by the initials KJ, to the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center (Rudenim) for detention and administrative processing. The move followed her detainment by joint security forces after she allegedly trespassed into a resident's property without permission in the Kediri area of Tabanan Regency.
The incident, which occurred in Banjar Lengudu, Pangkung Tibah Village, Kediri District, caused unease among local residents. It began when Tabanan Police received an emergency call via the 110 hotline late on Monday night, September 7, at around 11:49 PM local time. Responding officers arrived to find that the woman had already been detained by the local pecalang (traditional security) chief before being escorted to the Tabanan Police station.
Once her foreign nationality was confirmed, police coordinated with immigration authorities. Officers from the Tabanan Immigration Office's Information Technology, Intelligence, and Enforcement unit (Inteldakim) conducted initial questioning at the police station. During extended interrogation, the woman remained largely silent and was unable to produce a valid passport or visa, nor could she provide a verifiable address for her temporary accommodation in Bali.
Immigration officials noted that she appeared disoriented and confused during questioning, with investigators suggesting her mental state may have been affected by distress related to a personal romantic relationship. Nonetheless, authorities emphasized zero tolerance for public order violations. Tabanan Police formally issued a deportation recommendation to immigration, citing disturbance to local residents' safety and comfort.
Following the police recommendation and the absence of legal residency documents, immigration authorities took action. At around 11:00 AM on Wednesday, Inteldakim personnel escorted KJ from Tabanan to the Rudenim detention facility in Denpasar. Officials stated the transfer was intended to facilitate coordination with consular representatives and complete administrative procedures for forced repatriation to her home country.
"This handling reflects synergy between Immigration, Police, Pecalang, and related elements in maintaining security, order, and stability in the region," said a Tabanan Immigration public relations representative. The office stated it will continue intensifying surveillance and enforcement against foreigners who violate residency permits or exhibit behavior disruptive to public peace in Bali.
Things to Consider
Always carry your passport and visa (or copies) while in Bali, and be able to provide a verifiable accommodation address if asked by authorities. If experiencing personal distress or mental health difficulties, avoid entering private property without permission or engaging in behavior that could be perceived as suspicious; instead, contact your embassy/consulate or a trusted contact for support. Exercise particular caution at night or in unfamiliar residential areas, and avoid trespassing onto private land to prevent conflicts with local residents or pecalang security.
Source: Bali Politika