The Ugandan government has detained 62 Nigerians for “illegally operating” a church.

The government announced the development in a statement posted on its 𝕏 handle on Wednesday

The Ugandan National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC) stated that the suspects were also living and working in the country without valid permits.

They explained that the arrest followed a tip-off after learning that the individuals were operating illegally without the required permits.

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

“The group, primarily found operating a church among other things, is now being processed for prosecution under Uganda’s immigration,” the statement reads.

Simon Peter Mundeyi, spokesperson for the country’s ministry of internal affairs, said the Nigerians often pose as gospel preachers and engage in other illegal activities.

He added that they are currently being held at the ministry’s Namanve facility, where they are undergoing legal processes that could result in deportation, fines, or blacklisting.

“They often pose as gospel preachers while engaging in other irregular activities. Acting on intelligence, we moved in and apprehended them,” Mundeyi said.

Mundeyi said early investigations revealed conflict accounts from the suspects, adding that some claimed they were lured to Uganda with fake job offers, while others are suspected of involvement in online fraud and related crimes.