Detained Nigerian Missionaries Report Illness, Overcrowding
Alarm is growing over the welfare of 62 Nigerian missionaries held in a detention facility in Uganda’s Adjumani District, as illness spreads among detainees and concerns mount over the conditions in which they are being kept.
The Nigerians, identified as members of a Christian missionary group called Life Mission, were arrested by Ugandan immigration authorities on April 27, 2026, following allegations that they were illegally operating churches. The country’s Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control confirmed the arrests in a statement posted on its X handle, noting that the operation also covered the Bukoto–Ntinda area of Kampala.
At least 20 of the 62 detainees are reportedly experiencing symptoms believed to be linked to industrial emissions from facilities surrounding their place of detention. One detainee, Innocent Onyedikachi, attributed the health concerns to environmental pollution, saying smoke from nearby industries periodically enters the rooms, exposing detainees to unknown gases causing nasal congestion. He noted that while cough syrup and nose masks had been provided, new cases were still emerging.
Adding to the crisis, a five month old baby being nursed by one of the detained mothers was reportedly hospitalised twice. Fellow detainee Ruth Dauda recounted that it took four days for an ambulance to arrive when the infant first fell ill. “One of the babies became seriously ill with persistent coughing and had to be taken to the hospital twice. It was very alarming. Thankfully, the baby is improving now, but it was a very scary situation,” she said.
Another detainee, Shedrach Saidu, described severe overcrowding, with approximately 25 women sharing a single room. He acknowledged that two meals are served daily and basic amenities are available, but described the overall situation as inadequate, particularly for nursing mothers, their infants, and a pregnant woman among the group.
Dauda further disclosed that nursing mothers and their babies endured a transfer lasting more than 10 hours in a prison bus after authorities insisted all detainees be moved together.
The Executive Director of Life Mission, Michael ChristisKing, maintained that the organisation followed due process before entering Uganda, stating that it secured invitations and approvals from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Commissioner for Refugees, and the Born Again Fellowship of Uganda.
A detained leader, Emmanuel Ezeobi, denied operating illegal churches, insisting that members only visited local congregations as guests to engage in discipleship, teaching, and community support. He also disclosed that Ugandan authorities had imposed a fine of $400 per detainee as a condition for release, rising to approximately $500 when flight rescheduling costs are factored in, with possible deportation for those unable to pay.
A lawyer engaged by the group, Israel Mivule, was denied access to the detainees during a visit to the facility. Attempts to reach a regional immigration officer identified as Harrison, who allegedly seized the group’s passports, yielded no response as of the time of filing the report.