The External Security Organization (ESO) of Uganda is currently investigating a major scandal involving Ugandan diplomats in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These diplomats are accused of setting up an illegal casino inside the Ugandan consulate in Dubai.
Diplomats or Casino Operators?
When Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (as shown above) learned of this illegal operation, he immediately ordered the cessation of the activity, which then came to light. ESO's current task is to determine how gambling machines transported diplomatically from Russia entered the consulate building.
Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, publicly condemned this situation, stating it violated domestic law, UAE law, and international law. Thomas Tayebwa has demanded a government response, expressing concern that the improper conduct of diplomats might affect the bilateral relations between Uganda and the UAE, potentially impacting the 70,000 Ugandans living and working in the UAE.
The Ugandan consulate was initially advocated to provide support and services to the large Ugandan community in Dubai. However, the transformation of the consulate into a casino violates UAE law, Ugandan law, and international law regarding diplomatic premises.
This batch of gambling machines was intercepted by Moscow customs before leaving Russia, initially drawing attention due to a labeling error. The listed items included a large dining table, a small dining table, table legs, bar stools, souvenirs, and decorative wheels. Only after Mozes Kizige, the Ugandan Ambassador to Russia, intervened and assured that these items were for official embassy use and not for industrial or commercial purposes, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, were the goods allowed to continue their journey.
The goods arrived in the UAE via Ethiopian Airlines from Moscow on October 20, 2023, planned to be stored at the Dubai consulate for three months before being transported to Uganda, ultimately for use in a hotel owned by an unnamed government official. However, these machines were stored inside the consulate for at least six months, operated by two Ugandan nationals holding diplomatic documents.
The operation was halted only after President Museveni became aware of the situation and ordered the removal of these machines. This incident has sparked speculation about the future of the gambling industry in the UAE, despite gambling being illegal; however, the newly established gaming regulatory authority recently approved the country's first lottery license, indicating that the UAE might be moving towards legalizing casinos. This scandal reminds us of the importance of maintaining diplomatic integrity and the potential consequences of its breach.
