The Ministry of Internal Affairs has said popular social media commentator, Reid Samuel James, also known as Muzungu Boda was not deported but rather peacefully sent back to his country or origin.
Social media has for the last two weeks been awash with reports that Muzungu Boda was deported from the country.
However, Internal Affairs spokesperson, Simon Mundeyi said Muzungu boda was removed from the country for being engaged in work without a valid work permit.
“He was found running a charitable NGO without a work permit. This formed basis of his organsied removal .It was an organized departure and he returned to his home country in New Zealand,” Mundeyi said.
He said unlike deportation signed by the Minister of Internal Affairs or courts law where one is not allowed back to the country, for organized removal, one can easily return.
He said Muzungu Boda too can return to Uganda.
“If acquires necessary papers to allow him work in the country, he can return.”
Mundeyi however said some sections of the public had taken offence with Muzungu Boda’s “ weird” actions while in Uganda.
Muzungu boda is a white man who had caught the attention of Ugandans’ especially on social media .
The mzungu who rides a bodaboda as he wades through floods on Kampala streets or speaks to the people on the street had become a toast of the city.
He has featured in a number of videos that have made rounds on social media as he does funny stuff that a number of Ugandans would never think of being done by a white man.
For example, some of the videos that have made him popular among Ugandans on social media are drifting stunts in all sorts of cars including taxis, saloon cars, trucks, tuk tuks and even boda bodas.
A section of Ugandans has previously called for his deportation alleging he is a spy but in response, he dismissed the claims, saying he has done no harm.
“ Why do all people think I am an American spy? Can someone shed light on this for me? If I could build hospitals, I would. I cant. So, for now, let me do what I know,” he said.
He added, “I really want to stay in Uganda forever, I love everything here. The good welcoming people, the environment, the cheap food and the weather. Uganda is my new home.”
