By The State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Okello Oryem, has confirmed that Uganda’s Consul General to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ambassador Henry Mayega, along with other consulate officials, have been recalled and are currently under investigation. This follows reports that privately procured gambling machines, which were shipped under diplomatic cover from Russia to the Middle East, were allegedly operated within Uganda’s Consulate building in Dubai.
In a statement on Monday, Mr. Oryem emphasized that the ongoing investigations aim to identify the specific officials responsible for authorizing these actions before the government decides on further measures. “What transpired at our mission in Dubai is regrettable, but investigations are underway to determine who sanctioned these activities,” Mr. Oryem stated. He clarified that the officials were recalled to aid in the investigations and were not expelled, as some reports have suggested. “If found guilty, they will not return to Dubai, but if exonerated, they will be reinstated,” he added.
Mr. Oryem assured that Uganda’s diplomatic relations with Dubai remain unaffected by these developments, describing the incident as “a small storm in a teacup” that does not strain the strong relationship between Uganda and the UAE.
Meanwhile, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Haruna Nkunyingi Muwada criticized the situation, citing a lack of guidance and foreign policy knowledge among the missions and diplomats. He expressed concern that most diplomatic appointees are politically motivated, with 95 percent of Uganda’s 38 missions staffed by individuals aligned with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Mr. Nkunyingi argued that this incident should serve as a lesson to all Ugandan ambassadors.
He also noted that the actions of Ugandan diplomats in Dubai have caused additional challenges for the country. “These properties were cleared as consulate consignments, only to be discovered as casino machines. This could lead to increased scrutiny for Ugandans entering the UAE,” Mr. Nkunyingi warned.
This development follows the recent expulsion of Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada, Joy Ruth Acheng, who was declared “persona non grata” by the Canadian government. Ms. Acheng is expected to leave Canada by August 21, 2024, amid unresolved issues she was allegedly involved in, according to Mr. Oryem.
