FALSE: Muzungu Boda Was Not Deported Because He Is A CIA Spy But Due To Visa Complications
An X post by The Kampala Journal (KJNews), an online publication claiming that the New Zealander and content creator – Reid Samuel James alias Muzungu Boda was deported after it was discovered by the Chief Military Intelligence (CMI) that he was a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Spy, is FALSE.
The post was shared on Monday, November 10th 2024, with a blurry screenshot of Muzungu Boda at Entebbe Airport, leaving Uganda.
The claim by KJNews reads “Controversial blogger, Mzungu Boda deported after CMI report linked him to being a CIA spy. Dictator Museveni was told the tourist turned blogger was on a mission to expose the rot in Uganda by disguising as a tourist.”
The Analysis
The Kampala Journal News account is not a credible news outlet and it’s known for sharing non-factual posts particularly those that ridicule or attack the ruling government and its bodies. It is also known for throwing praises at the National Unity Platform (NUP), an opposition political party in Uganda.
Based on its track record of content, it is correct to say that the journal uses political propaganda to spread disinformation amongst its online audiences. Cases, where the platform KJNews has fallen short of facts include publishing wrong results in the recently concluded parliamentary by-elections in Kisoro district, posting Sultana Salim as the Woman MP Kisoro and accusing the National Resistance Movement NRM party of rigging the election, and Grace Akifeza, an independent candidate, in turn, won the post.
Evidence:
A reverse image search of the screenshot used by KJNews led us to a video of Muzugu Boda while at the airport. He posted the video on his X account and the caption reads:
“ Sadly, I’ve had to leave Uganda. Thanks to Uganda Airlines for the best service ever. I don’t know when I’ll be back but I hope it’s very soon,” he is seen leaving for New Zealand using Qatar Airways which he comically kept referring to as the Uganda Airlines. The post was reposted by Ron Kawamara, a businessman in Kampala condemning the government’s decision to expel him from the country.
Despite his charitable works, Muzungu Boda’s troubles started months ago when the public started raising concerns about his content on X here, here, here, here and here others wrote opinions stating why he should be stopped or deported here and here citing that he was endangering the children in his videos and presenting the country poorly.
Since then articles have been written about his “deportation” as seen here and here however, none mentions him being a CIA agent and that being the reason he was sent back to New Zealand. More speculations have risen including a YouTube video by the Muna Uganda podcast, suggesting that Reid Samuel James (Muzungu Boda) was deported for exposing the country’s poverty and bad roads.
Meanwhile, there is a screenshot of an X post made by Muzungu Boda and later reposted with a quote by RonnieDha and has since been deleted.
In the screenshot, the content creator implied he was at risk of being sent back home and needed help.
“Today I have received sad news that I must leave Uganda tonight ( I must leave tonight or stay in the immigration until I get a flight) due to visa complications. However, I will be able to stay for 7 more days if a foreign national (with a six-month work permit) can come to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They must bring their passport or 6-month work permit. If you know someone who can help. please DM me.” read the deleted X post.
Simon Mundeyi, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said that he needed a foreign person’s permit as a requirement for his bond as a foreigner.
“Those are the standard procedures for a bond to be given to a foreigner in breach of immigration laws here,” he said.
Was Muzungu Boda deported as claims suggest?
According to Simon Mundeyi, he was not deported but just removed from the country.
“No, he was not deported. He was simply removed on organized departure. Meaning he can re-organize himself and return,” He said.
For a deportation, the person is not allowed back in the country that he/she has been deported from and it is done by the minister of internal affairs or the courts of law.
However for an organised departure like Samuel’s, the deportee can return and therefore once Muzungu Boda meets the requirements of working or staying in Uganda, he can return.
Muzungu Boda is allowed to return to Uganda according to Simon Mundeyi, in an article written about the matter by The Witness, an online news publication.
Was he deported for being a CIA agent?
Mundeyi further refuted the claims that the deportee in question was a CIA agent and noted that, that was not the reason for his sudden departure, but for visa complications.
He also added that Muzungu Boda is not an American but a New Zealander where he was sent, therefore further distancing the claims that he was working for the American Agency as a spy.
Citing the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control of Uganda, under the Department of Inspection & Legal Services, Foreign Nationals found to be working, staying or whose entry into the Country is unlawful may be deported, removed on organised departure and prosecuted.
Verdict:
False, Muzugu Boda was neither “deported” nor sent out of Uganda on the discovery that he was a CIA agent, but rather due to visa complications.