General Haji Abubaker Jeje Odongo, from the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the government has initiated an investigation into reports concerning officials at the Ugandan Consulate in Dubai operating casinos and gambling facilities, which contravenes established diplomatic norms.
He disclosed this information during a plenary session, responding to concerns raised last week by Muwada Nkunyingi (Kyadondo East), who requested the government to clarify accusations on social media that Uganda had turned its consulate into a gambling hub.
"The allegations of transforming diplomatic facilities into casinos are very serious. These accusations involve violations of diplomatic practices stipulated by the Vienna Convention and misuse of diplomatic facilities. They also raise critical issues about trust and integrity of individuals, as well as key issues in diplomatic relations between countries," Minister Jeje stated.
The minister added, "Given the gravity of these allegations, the Ugandan government has taken a firm stance and launched an investigation. As these investigations are ongoing, I am limited in what I can say, as it could affect the investigation. Therefore, I request a full statement be made after the investigation is concluded."
Before the minister's statement, concerns were expressed by Busiro East about the decision to handle such sensitive issues in parliament, questioning whether proper consultations on the impact of these allegations on Uganda's diplomatic relations with the UAE had been conducted.
"I am concerned whether consultations on diplomatic law were conducted before this matter was scheduled on the agenda. Considering the importance of this diplomatic mission and the services it provides, have you fully considered the implications of publicly discussing such allegations?" Sseggona questioned.
The Growing Trade Risks Between Uganda and the UAE
Sseggona emphasized the potential diplomatic consequences of public debates, especially in light of a recent report from the Ministry of Finance, which showed that Uganda's export revenue in May 2024 reached $891.97 million, a 39.4% increase from April 2024. The UAE made a significant contribution to this growth, particularly through the purchase of gold.
The report highlighted that the Middle East is the largest destination for Uganda's exports, accounting for 34.0% of the total exports in May 2024, with goods worth $297.65 million purchased by the UAE.
According to data from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda established diplomatic relations with Dubai in 2007 and opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi the same year. The UAE embassy was opened in Kampala in 2011. The trade relations between Uganda and the UAE are close and strategic, with the UAE serving as an important trade partner connecting Uganda with the Middle East, and a crucial hub for the global transportation of Ugandan goods.
According to Article 414 of the Federal Penal Code, gambling is illegal in the UAE, based on the Quran, which prohibits gambling activities, including operating gambling venues or participating in illegal gambling. However, in September 2023, the UAE established a new regulatory body, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), responsible for overseeing commercial gaming and establishing a regulatory framework for national lotteries and commercial games.
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