A major diplomatic fallout has occurred between Uganda and the UK, as Ugandan Ambassador to the United Kingdom, John Leonard Mugerwa, has been declared persona non grata by the British government.
This decision follows serious allegations of abuse of office and human trafficking against Mugerwa, who has represented Uganda in the UK for several years. Vincent Bagiire, the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry denied the claim.
Mugerwa is accused of exploiting his diplomatic position to facilitate the recruitment and trafficking of Ugandan women as domestic workers for wealthy families in the UK.
Reports indicate that these individuals were brought into the country under false pretenses and subjected to harsh working conditions akin to modern-day slavery. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) responded swiftly to the scandal, expelling Mugerwa and implicating his junior staff member, Brian Sekyewa.
Sekyewa allegedly issued fraudulent Certificates of Sponsorship, falsely claiming that the maids were coming to work for the Ugandan government. This allowed the trafficked individuals to bypass immigration scrutiny, further deepening the severity of the case.
The UK government has emphasized that diplomatic immunity cannot shield such abuses.
Notably, this incident highlights a disparity in how the Ministry handles cases involving career diplomats versus politically appointed diplomats. Cases involving the former are often classified and confidential, while the latter receive swift condemnation. For instance, Ambassador Ruth Joy Acheng of Ottawa and Ambassador Peter Mayiga received prompt attention and public statements, whereas the case of Ambassador Mugerwa and Third Secretary Bryan Ssekyewa has been relatively quiet.
This disparity underscores the need for the appointing authority to foster teamwork between political and career diplomats, ensuring equitable treatment and transparency. The incident also raises concerns about diplomatic accountability and human rights protection, potentially straining relations between Uganda and the UK
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