62 Nigerians Detained in Uganda for Illegal Church Operations

On April 27, 2026, the Ugandan Immigration Authority detained 62 Nigerian nationals in Adjumani District for allegedly operating an unauthorized church and residing in the country without valid work permits. Simon Peter Mundeyi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, disclosed that the arrests followed credible intelligence and a tip-off to enforcement teams.

The group was primarily involved in church activities and is currently undergoing legal processes, which may result in deportation, fines, or being blacklisted from preaching in Uganda. Preliminary investigations revealed differing accounts among the suspects, with some claiming they were lured to Uganda under false job offers, while others believed they were linked to online fraud.

The Ugandan government remains committed to enforcing immigration laws to ensure that foreign nationals operate within the legal framework. The Ministry also urged landlords to exercise caution when renting to non-citizens.