Kampala, (UG):- The Uganda government through its Ministry of Internal Affairs has revealed that Raid Samuel James Armin, aka Muzungu Boda, the popular New Zealander TikTok content creator was ‘ejected’ from Uganda due to his illegal work status.
Muzungu-Boda who had become a household name for mimicking Ugandan local content and drifting different types of cars as well as cruising on boda boda motorcycles was according to local authorities found operating a charity organization without the requisite papers.
The Ministry Spokesperson Mr Simon Mundeyi explained Monday that the actions of the Muzungu-Boda were classified as work, thereby violating the terms of his tourist visa which provides for his stay for purposely tourist activities and exploration in the host country.
“This gentleman was found running a charitable non-governmental organization without a work permit. And those are the reasons that formed the basis for his organized removal,” Mr Mundeyi said during a weekly press briefing at Uganda Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday afternoon.
“To work in any country, an individual must possess a valid work permit. It is not permissible to work on a tourist visa, which he was doing while running a charitable NGO. As standard practice, he was removed from the country,” he added.
Mr Mundeyi, however, clarified that the Muzungu was not deported as some media outlets reported last week and that he is welcome to the country anytime if he obtains valid papers for his stay and work here.
“We did not deport this gentleman, we removed him. There are two things here; this was an organized departure. If a foreigner is found working on a visitor’s pass or on a wrong visa, we organize for your removal from the country. And if you acquire the necessary papers that allow you to work, then you are allowed to come back into the country. Which is different from deportation,” Mundeyi explained.
Besides the lack of necessary documents for his work status, authorities condemned the actions of the Muzungu as seen in his social media videos, which reportedly prompted them to ask that he first return to his home country to reorganize himself but also change the way of his work before applying for a return to Uganda.
“At some point, you would find this man in one of the recordings doing very weird things. And we even wondered whether he was in his right sense of mind. In one recording which he did with children, he would be seen drifting with children to very worrying levels; almost children hitting their heads on the tarmac and crying. Children are seen crying while he was laughing,” said Mundeyi, adding that in the departure lounge at Entebbe International Airport, Muzungu-Boda acted awkwardly by yelling at whoever he saw wearing either an immigration uniform or with the government of Uganda badge.
“That kind of behaviour was really uncalled for. We peacefully sent him to his country, asking him to first reorganize himself. Then he will return and we shall let him in. He was, I think, a self-appointed spokesperson of government, talking about potholes here. Talking about things which were uncoordinated,” Mundeyi said, adding “So, we thought with the work he had given himself, he needed to have a work permit in order to do that kind of work.”
Who is Muzungu-Boda?
James Samuel Raid Armin aka Muzungu-Boda rose to fame in Uganda and on social media, captivating audiences with his entertaining and relatable video content that showcased the country’s culture and way of life uniquely and humorously.
In a recent interview with a local daily, Muzungu-Boda said coming to Africa was not new to him as he had lived in Ghana as a tennis coach for a short stint, but he fell in love with Uganda during his maiden sojourn in 2023.
“I came to see my cousin who has lived here for 10 years and I had a dream about him. I decided to call him to see if he was safe,” Muzungu told the publication last month, adding that he was hit by the beauty galore from the climate to the food.
“The people, the music, the beauty, the nature, the food, I am a lover of fruits, avocados, and pineapples, what is there not to love?” he narrated, justifying the nature and controversy in the kind of content he creates for TikTok and other social media platforms.
However, before leaving Ugand last week, Raid claimed that immigration officials had detained him, and he also admitted to using a tourist visa to enter the country but said he wasn’t earning any income, but rather helping vulnerable children through his charity.
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