Why top MTN bosses were arrested, deported

DEPORTATION   IMMIGRATION  WORKERS

Security agencies in Uganda have deported two senior foreign nationals working with Telecommunication giant MTN Uganda accused involvement in acts aimed at compromising Uganda's national security.

The two who include MTN Uganda's Chief Marketing Officer Olivier Prentout who is a French national and the MTN General Manager for Sales and Distribution Anne Tamburas who is a Rwandan were deported on Tuesday morning after joint investigations by all security agencies together with the Immigration department.

Prentout was arrested on Saturday shortly after he had landed at Entebbe International Airport from South Africa while Tabura, was arrested by security personnel upon arrival at the MTN headquarter offices, in Kololo on Monday morning.

A statement issued by Deputy Police Spokesperson Pauline Namaye, noted that security agencies together with the Immigration department were investigating the two officials over engagements that compromise national security.

Details of the scope of investigations remained unclear even though a source privy to the investigation noted that they were accused of deliberately hacking and sharing private phone conversation of key individuals in security and government to unauthorized individuals from a different country.

"We want to commend the Directorate of Immigration and citizenship control for strengthening the screening procedures at all border points. We strongly believe that the deportation of the two foreigners who were using their employments as tools to achieve their ill motives has enabled us disrupt their intended plans of compromising our national security," Namaye said.

Police urged the members of the public to remain alert and continue helping police and its sister security agencies by reporting any suspicious activities.

Efforts to get a comment from the Immigration Department Spokesperson Jacob Siminyu proved futile as he was reportedly locked up in a meeting.

MTN confirmed two of its staff had been deported and in statement, noted that "together with all its employees, we remain fully committed to operating within and respecting the laws of the land.