“Mayega was called for consultation,” said a source who preferred anonymity to speak freely. “This situation may ultimately lead to a recall.”
Exclusively by Chimpreports.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed the Consul General of Uganda in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Amb Henry Mayega, to return to Uganda to explain circumstances under which the consulate was turned into a casino.
The media recently reported that the External Security Organisation (ESO) was investigating circumstances under which privately procured gambling machines, shipped under diplomatic cover between Russia and the Middle East, ended up being operated at Uganda’s Consulate building in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The foreign spy agency swung into action in April, this year, following concerns the practice breached provisions of the April 18, 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
ChimpReports has now learned that Mayega was ordered to return to Uganda for interrogation.
“Mayega was called for consultation,” said a source who preferred anonymity to speak freely.
“This situation may ultimately lead to a recall.”
As of last week, Mayega was still interfacing with the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s ‘rewards and sanctions committee.’
Efforts to secure a comment from Mayega and the Foreign Affairs Ministry were in vain.
However, insiders claim Mayega hid the casino machines at one of the floors of the Consulate in Dubai.
“Mayega is accused of blocking the diplomatic staff’s access to the floor where the casino machines were hidden,” said a source, emphasising, “This was scandalous.”
Officials told ChimpReports that investigators are probing claims that Mayega received a shipment of casino equipment from Russia on behalf of Foreign Affairs Minister Jeje Odongo.
A source said the “investigation into this scandal is still ongoing. We are yet to prepare a full report on the development.”
Diplomats have since expressed concern about the integrity of the report being prepared by the Foreign Affairs officials as the matter concerns Minister Jeje Odongo.
“It is not easy to internally investigate a matter where your boss – the Minister – is accused of wrongdoing,” said a diplomat.
Earlier this month, the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, asked Odongo to respond to allegations of the use of Uganda’s consulate in Dubai as a casino.
This was after the issue was raised as a matter of national importance by the Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi (NUP, Kyadondo County East) during the sitting of Parliament on Thursday 1 August 2024.
Nkunyingi called for an investigation into the allegations, saying that the matter, if left unchecked, has international ramifications.
“Parliament pushed for this consulate to extend support and services to Ugandans who are thousands living in Dubai. Surprisingly turning the consulate into a casino and a gambling house contravenes the laws of UAE, our laws and international laws governing diplomatic premises,” Nkunyingi said.
Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanjja said the matter should be handled by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“The Minister mentioned here is also an MP (Jeje Odongo), now that you have requested for a statement, I will make sure he comes here to give a statement over the matter,” said Nabanjja.
The Consulate office in Dubai was set up to compliment efforts of the Ugandan embassy in Abu Dhabi led by Amb Zaake Kibedi to promote and protect Uganda’s interests in the United Arab Emirates.
The consulate provides consular services, such as passports, visas, and emergency assistance for not only Ugandans but persons interested in travelling to Uganda.
It is estimated that up to 100,000 Ugandans are currently residing in the UAE and remit up to almost $300m annually.