Dubai, (UAE):- Uganda’s Consul General to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ambassador Henry Mayega and other consulate officials have been recalled amid probe over privately procured gambling machines allegedly operating at the country’s Consulate building in Dubai.
The State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem Monday confirmed that the ongoing investigations are intended to identify the actual officials involved before further action is taken by the government.
“What happened in our mission in Dubai is regrettable but there are ongoing investigations to find out who authorized the events in our mission,” Mr Oryem said, adding that the officials were recalled to assist with the ongoing investigations and not expelled as some reports seemed to suggest.
“If they are found guilty they will not return to Dubai but if they are innocent, they will go back,” he emphasized.
Mr Oryem however clarified that Uganda’s relations with Dubai have not been affected by the unfolding events saying; “It is a small storm in the tea cup; it does not stretch our strong relations in the UAE.”
The shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Haruna Nkunyingi Muwada who brought the matter to the floor of parliament last month says the biggest challenge was that the missions and diplomats are not guided on what to do, claiming that most of them lack knowledge on foreign policy.
“I have regularly raised concerns over the deployment of ambassadors and foreign service staff who are largely political appointees. On the list of 38 missions, 95 per cent of them are ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM)-leaning political appointees,” Mr Nkunyingi explains, adding that it should serve as a lesson to all other Ugandan ambassadors across.
“Remember these properties had been cleared as consignment of the embassy but to find out they are casino machines. It means Ugandans trying to enter UAE will be screened more,” the Kyadondo East Legislator added, emphasizing that the Ugandan diplomats in Dubai have caused Uganda more trouble.
Amb Mayega’s recall comes days after the Canadian government expelled Uganda’s High Commissioner, Joy Ruth Acheng whom it declared a “persona non grata”, a Latin phrase to mean an “unwelcome person.”
Toronto-based reports confirmed that Ms Acheng is expected to leave North American Canada on August 21, 2024, after a series of unresolved issues in which she allegedly got involved in.
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