Sixty-two Nigerians held in Uganda on claims of conducting unauthorised church activities have been released and will return to Nigeria on Thursday.

The individuals, linked to the Christian group Life Mission, were taken into custody on April 27, 2026, during operations in Adjumani District and areas of Kampala. Ugandan immigration officials said the arrests were based on intelligence indicating the group was carrying out religious work without proper permits.

According to Life Mission Executive Director Michael ChristisKing, the detainees were volunteers providing humanitarian support to South Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda since 2022. He said the organisation had secured approvals from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Commissioner for Refugees, and the Born Again Fellowship of Uganda before deploying its team.

Ugandan authorities countered that the Nigerians arrived on tourist visas and had no clearance for religious outreach. Records show this group was part of a larger team of 107 that entered Uganda in August 2025, with 43 already back in Nigeria earlier this year.

Following their release, arrangements were put in place for the 62 to travel back home.