Uganda’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Henry Mayega, has been urgently recalled after an illegal casino operation was uncovered at the Ugandan Consulate in Dubai.
This discovery has led to the recall of Mayega and his entire diplomatic team from the UAE.
The scandal came to light when Ugandan authorities were informed that the consulate was being misused as a venue for illicit gambling.
The External Security Organization (ESO), acting under direct orders from President Yoweri Museveni, conducted a thorough investigation, confirming the illegal activities, which are in direct violation of international diplomatic standards, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
Mayega faced extensive questioning over the incident, leading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to order his return to Kampala for further interrogation. Sources within the ministry revealed that President Museveni was personally briefed on the situation and sanctioned the investigation.
In the wake of the scandal, Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is under increasing pressure to address diplomatic misconduct, particularly following another recent controversy involving Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada, Joy Ruth Acheng. Acheng has been declared “persona non grata” due to alleged misconduct and is scheduled for deportation on August 21, 2024.
An official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expected from Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire, is anticipated to address these serious breaches of protocol and outline steps to restore the credibility of Uganda’s diplomatic missions abroad.
