62 Nigerians detained in Uganda for illegal church operations, others

Ugandan immigration authorities have taken decisive action, arresting 62 Nigerian nationals in the Adjumani District. The individuals were allegedly operating a church and engaging in other activities without the requisite work permits or valid immigration documentation. This operation, stemming from credible public intelligence, highlights Uganda's commitment to enforcing its immigration laws and ensuring that foreign nationals adhere to legal frameworks.

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Following a tip-off, our enforcement team has arrested 62 Nigerian nationals operating illegally in Adjumani (without work permits).

The Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control stated that the arrested Nigerians are currently undergoing legal processing. The potential outcomes range from deportation and fines to being blacklisted, underscoring the seriousness with which Uganda views immigration violations. The Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson, Simon Peter Mundeyi, noted that some of the suspects claim to have been misled by false job offers, while preliminary investigations also point towards possible links to online fraud, indicating a complex situation behind their presence in the country.

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The group, primarily found operating a church, among other activities, is now being processed for prosecution under Uganda’s immigration laws.

In a separate but related operation, immigration officials also apprehended 169 other foreign nationals in Kampala for similar documentation issues. This broader crackdown signals a robust effort by Ugandan authorities to regulate the presence and activities of non-citizens. The Ministry's directive to landlords to verify the immigration status of foreign tenants before offering accommodation further emphasizes the government's proactive stance in managing its borders and ensuring national security. This rigorous enforcement is crucial for maintaining order and ensuring that all residents, foreign or local, operate within the bounds of the law.

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These people come under the guise of preaching the gospel and hide behind other irregular activities. So, acting on that intelligence, we swung into action and were able to apprehend them.