The charges against 62 missionaries from Nigeria over alleged illegal religious activities have been released following withdrawal of the charges against them.
Prompt News Online reports that the missionaries are expected to return to Nigeria this Thursday, but would be responsible for the cost of rescheduling their flight tickets.
The Nigerians, identified as members of a Christian missionary organisation known as Life Mission, were arrested by Ugandan immigration authorities during operations carried out in Adjumani and parts of Kampala in April.
Uganda’s Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control had accused the group of illegally operating churches in the East African country.
However, the Executive Director of the mission, Michael ChristisKing, said the missionaries were involved in humanitarian and cross-cultural outreach programmes targeted at refugees and vulnerable communities.
Speaking on Wednesday, ChristisKing disclosed that the charges against the missionaries had been withdrawn, paving the way for their release and return to Nigeria.
“The 62 Nigerian missionaries are expected back in Nigeria tomorrow. Their release has been facilitated after the charges against them were dropped,” he said.
He also explained that the Ugandan authorities cancelled an earlier plan requiring each detainee to pay a $400 penalty, noting that the missionaries would only bear the cost of rescheduling their flight tickets.
“The penalty has been cancelled. They are no longer expected to pay any fine apart from the ticket rescheduling cost. This is also not a deportation process,” he added.
ChristisKing maintained that the organisation followed all necessary procedures before entering Uganda, adding that approvals were secured from relevant authorities, including Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister, the Commissioner for Refugees and the Born Again Fellowship of Uganda.
A letter reportedly issued by the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches in Uganda confirmed that the mission had been operating in the country since 2023 and was recognised for its outreach activities among refugees in camps.
READ ALSO
- 13 DAYS TO AACT 2026: SANWO-OLU PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR CONTINENTAL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
- Nigeria vs Puerto Rico: Busari makes slight change as Yusuf replaces Adesuyi in defence
- Eniola Badmus Seeks Reconciliation With Laide Bakare After Online Backlash
- BREAKING: Police fire teargas to disperse #EndSARS memorial at Lekki Tollgate
- FG Pays ₦4.25bn to Additional 600 Nigeria Airways Beneficiaries
The development came days after concerns emerged over the welfare of the detained Nigerians, with reports indicating that some of them developed health complications while in custody.
