Charges dropped as Ugandan authorities cancel fines; mission group insists outreach was lawful and humanitarian.

Ugandan authorities have released 62 Nigerian nationals who were detained over alleged illegal religious activities, with the group now set to return to Nigeria on Thursday.

The individuals, identified as members of a Christian missionary organisation, Life Mission, were arrested by Uganda’s Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control during operations carried out on April 27, 2026, in Adjumani and parts of Kampala, including the Bukoto–Ntinda axis.

Authorities had accused them of operating churches without proper authorisation.

However, the Executive Director of the mission, Michael ChristisKing, said the allegations were dropped after further review, leading to their release and clearance to leave the country.

He confirmed that travel arrangements have been updated to enable their return. “The 62 Nigerian missionaries will be back in Nigeria on Thursday. The charges have been dropped, and their tickets have been rescheduled accordingly,” he said.

Initial conditions for their release reportedly included a $400 fine per person, alongside an additional $100 for flight rescheduling. But ChristisKing disclosed that the Ugandan government later reversed the penalty, leaving the missionaries to only cover the cost of adjusting their travel plans.

He also stressed that the situation did not amount to deportation, noting that the group’s original return tickets were simply rescheduled.

The mission had earlier maintained that its activities in Uganda were legitimate and properly documented. According to ChristisKing, the organisation secured the necessary approvals from key institutions, including the Office of the Prime Minister, the Commissioner for Refugees, and the Born Again Fellowship of Uganda.

Supporting documents indicate that the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches in Uganda had formally recognised the group’s work prior to the arrests.

In a letter dated August 15, 2025, the fellowship described the organisation—Exalting Jesus Life Missions—as a known non-profit permitted to bring volunteer missionaries into Uganda, particularly to carry out humanitarian work among refugees.

The letter, signed by Bishop Dr Africano Magyezi, confirmed that the group had been active in Uganda since 2023 and had planned to host over 100 Nigerian missionaries alongside local volunteers.

The fellowship also appealed for cooperation and support for the mission during its stay.

Meanwhile, concerns had earlier emerged over the welfare of the detainees, with reports indicating that some fell ill while in custody due to a suspected outbreak within the facility.

With their release now secured and penalties lifted, the missionaries are expected to reunite with their families in Nigeria after their return.