Ugandan authorities detained 62 Nigerian nationals on April 27, 2026 [1], for allegedly operating churches without the required permits [1].

The arrests signal a potential crackdown on foreign-led religious organizations and raise concerns regarding the legal rights of non-citizens within the Ugandan justice system.

The detainees are members of the Life Mission Christian group [1]. According to reports, the Directorate of Citizenship carried out the operations in the Bukoto-Ntinda and Adjumani areas of Kampala [1]. The authorities said that the group was running religious services without official authorization [1].

Legal representative Israel Mivule said that the detainees have been denied access to legal representation [1]. The lack of access to a lawyer complicates the ability of the 62 Nigerians [1] to challenge the legality of their detention or seek bail.

While the Directorate of Citizenship maintains that the arrests were based on permit violations, the scale of the operation suggests a targeted effort against this specific missionary group [1]. The situation remains tense as the detainees remain in custody without a clear timeline for their release or trial.

The Nigerian nationals were apprehended during raids across two primary locations in the capital and surrounding regions [1]. This incident highlights the strict regulatory environment for religious organizations in Uganda, a system that requires specific government permits for any church to operate legally [1].

“Ugandan authorities detained 62 Nigerian nationals on April 27, 2026”

This incident underscores the friction between international missionary activities and national sovereignty laws in East Africa. By detaining a large group of foreign nationals for administrative permit violations and restricting their legal counsel, Uganda is asserting strict control over religious demographics and the legitimacy of foreign-led spiritual organizations.