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Uganda Zzabu!! Secrets Emerge On How Top Museveni’s Minister Turned Uganda’s Embassy In Dubai Into A Casino And Earns Billions Monthly – Angry Museveni Swiftly Orders For Investigation

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Uganda’s External Security Organisation (ESO) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shipment and operation of privately procured gambling machines at Uganda’s Consulate building in Dubai, UAE.

The machines were reportedly shipped under diplomatic cover between Russia and the Middle East, breaching the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Article 41 of the convention states that mission premises must not be used in any manner incompatible with the mission’s functions.

The equipment was shipped from Moscow to UAE on October 29, 2023, aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET600. The Ugandan embassy in Abu Dhabi sought authorization from the host government to clear the cargo, which was then stored at the Consulate in Dubai for no more than three months before eventual transfer to Uganda.

However, it remains unclear why the buyer did not fly the property straight to Uganda or why the Consulate was chosen for storage.Sources revealed that top government officials, including ministers, often store personal valuables at diplomatic missions worldwide, leaving diplomats conflicted on how to refuse without risking their jobs.

However, Monitor reported in a Monday breaking story that highly placed sources unearthed the rot at the embassy saying “it is a common practice by top government officials, including ministers, to store personal valuables at diplomatic missions around the world, sometimes for several months, leaving diplomats conflicted on how to say no to their political supervisors without a risk to their jobs.”

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Upon learning of the casino machines, a senior minister dispatched a pastor as a special envoy to access the Consulate Building and disassemble, install, and test the machines. These operations continued sporadically for six months until President Museveni ordered their removal.The investigation aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding the shipment and operation of the gambling machines at the Consulate building.

The incident raises questions about the use of diplomatic missions for personal gain and the breach of international conventions.When contacted on Monday, The Senior Presidential Press Secretary, Mr Sandor Walusimbi, said he was not aware of the matter. But the newspaper (Monitor) would further report that the ESO Director General, Mr Joseph Ocwet, went to Dubai about two weeks ago as part of his inquiries into a matter described by insiders as a potential diplomatic powder keg.

Top Foreign Officials implicated

Inquiries into the alleged casino scheme at Uganda’s Consulate in Dubai have seized the attention of the technical wing at Uganda’s Foreign Affairs ministry. Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire flew to Dubai in May, while en route from Ankara, Turkiye, where he was to defuse in-fighting among senior embassy staff.

He later addressed the Ankara embassy staff retreat to underline priority areas in the Uganda-Turkiye bilateral relations, held in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya.Sources close to the investigations said PS Bagiire, while in Dubai, toured the two-storied Consulate building but found the room with the gambling machines locked, and the attendant with the keys away.

It remains unclear whether and what Mr Bagiire reported to his seniors on the fact-finding mission to the Consulate.

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MUSEVENI ORDERS PROBE

In the aftermath of the mess in the Middle East country, which forbids gambling of any kind, President Museveni is said to have directed Mr Zaake Kibedi, Uganda’s envoy in Abu Dhabi who oversees the Dubai Consulate, to intervene.

Consequently, on May 12, Ambassador Kibedi, accompanied by the ESO attaché, flew to Dubai and, in the presence of Ambassador Henry Mayega, who heads the Consulate in Dubai, authorized the room to be forcibly opened for removal of the equipment. The removed equipment, it turned out, was one that the Ugandan embassy in Abu Dhabi that he heads, on November 1, 2023, asked the United Arab Emirates Foreign Affairs ministry, through its Department of Privileges and Immunities, to clear as diplomatic cargo.

“The embassy … has the honour to inform the latter (UAE) that cargo under airway mail No. 071-49449864 in the number of seven packages was transported on Ethiopian Airlines from Domodedovo International Airport (in Russia) en route to Dubai International Airport and arrived [in Abu Dhabi] on October 29, 2023. In this regard, the embassy wishes to request the esteemed ministry for clearance of the cargo,” reads the diplomatic note under reference ADM/230/39/2023-25.

According to the air waybill, the consignment included “used furniture parts”. Our investigations show that Uganda’s Ambassador to Russia, Mr Moses Kizige, designated one Kurshev Roman Igorevich as holding power of attorney to pay for and ship the items.

In an undated letter referenced XM/AD/01, and addressed to the Domodedovo Customs, Ambassador Kizige noted that Uganda’s embassy in Moscow that he superintends, “… empowers Kurshev Roman Igorevich … to carry out customs clearance, receive the goods from the warehouse/hand over the goods to the warehouse and sign for the receipt/delivery of the goods, pay all fees and duties as well as perform all procedures [and] actions related to the shipment of the diplomatic cargo”.

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It was not yet clear why the envoy committed the state of Uganda to a shipment of a consignment said to be personal property and where a private individual picked associated bills.Ambassador Kizige when contacted referred inquiries to Gen Jeje Odongo, the Foreign Affairs minister, without indicating why.

“From time to time we receive requests to clear cargo. But on this matter, please, call Gen Odongo,” Ambassador Kizige told Monitor.Similarly, Ambassador Mayega, who heads the Dubai Consulate where the cargo ended, according to the official account for storage on instructions of supervisors, referred this newspaper to Gen Odongo.

“Please, call Hon Gen Jeje Odongo for details about this matter,” he said before cutting off the conversation.

Foreign Affairs Ministry Speaks Out

In Kampala, Foreign Affairs minister Gen Jeje Odongo reached out to Monitor, offering to share his side of the story upon learning of the investigation. However, he later cited high blood pressure and did not provide a statement. When contacted again, he suggested a face-to-face interaction but did not offer an appointment.

The publication could not confirm if Minister Odongo had prior knowledge of the equipment’s operation by two Ugandan nationals with diplomatic credentials. However, sources revealed that he and other officials were questioned by ESO officers as part of the investigation.The emissaries had unrestricted access to the Consulate building, hosting alleged punters during evening hours.

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This practice raised concerns among Kampala officials, fearing it could prompt the UAE government to investigate, potentially impacting Uganda-UAE relations.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem stated that conducting a lottery inside diplomatic premises would be “criminal” if true. He expressed shock and emphasized that diplomatic buildings enjoy privileges, making such activities a breach of trust and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Oryem promised to inquire about the case with his technical staff.

“I’m hearing about this for the first time from you, but if our diplomatic staff engaged in such activity then it is absurd and criminal. An embassy building and Consulate enjoy a diplomatic privilege; so, to turn them into a Casino is not only in contravention of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations but also a breach of trust,” Mr Oryem told this newspaper by telephone.

He added: “What I know [is that] there were fights over resources at the Consulate and the PS went there to address the situation. I will particularly ask my technical staff about this particular case.”

About the Consulate

The UAE allowed Uganda in April 2022 to open the Consulate, a key financial and commercial hub. Its purpose is cut out: promote trade relations and facilitate diplomatic services for Ugandans in the UAE northern territories of Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al-Khaimah.

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The consulate started as a Liaison Office for the Dubai 2020 Expo, which was held in 2021 and attended by Mr Museveni. Its achievements under Ambassador Mayega have included scouting investors some of whom met President Museveni in Uganda and have set up real estate and financial businesses in Kampala.

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