Authorities in Uganda have detained 62 Nigerians accused of operating an unlicensed church and residing in the country without valid documentation.
The arrests were confirmed by the Uganda National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC) in a statement issued on Wednesday via its official X handle. The agency said the operation followed a tip-off about a group allegedly conducting activities without the required permits.
According to the statement, the individuals were primarily involved in running a church, among other engagements, in violation of immigration regulations. They are currently being processed for prosecution under Ugandan law.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Simon Peter Mundeyi, said preliminary findings suggest some of the suspects posed as gospel preachers while allegedly engaging in other unlawful activities.
“They often pose as gospel preachers while engaging in irregular activities. Acting on intelligence, we moved in and apprehended them,” Mundeyi said.
He added that the detainees are being held at the Namanve facility, where they are undergoing legal procedures that could lead to deportation, fines, or blacklisting from the country.
Mundeyi noted that early investigations have revealed conflicting accounts among the group. While some claimed they were lured into Uganda with false job promises, others are suspected of involvement in online fraud and related offences.
