Ugandan criminals tarnish country’s image, envoys say

Dec 13, 2010

UGANDAN heads of foreign missions have expressed concern about nationals involved in crime.

By Raymond Baguma
UGANDAN heads of foreign missions have expressed concern about nationals involved in crime.

“Our work of promoting Uganda’s image is sabotaged and we have acquired a bad name because of these conmen,” said Ibrahim Mukiibi, the Ugandan High Commissioner to Tanzania.

He narrated an ordeal he went through while transiting through the United Arab Emirates, when his diplomatic passport was subjected to a check.

“As an ambassador, I was made to wait for an hour as my passport was checked. I noticed that Ugandan passports are blacklisted. They have to check any Ugandan going through Dubai,” Mukiibi said.

The ambassadors and high commissioners were on Saturday speaking at a two-day annual retreat at the Serena Lake Victoria Hotel in Kampala.

The retreat was organised to refocus the priorities of the foreign affairs ministry to address challenges and opportunities in the dynamic regional and international environment.

Currently, there are 50 Ugandans held in China. Of these, 20 have been sentenced to death for drug trafficking, while others are serving life sentences or 15 years jail terms.

The Government of Uganda has been involved in negotiating for their extradition.

Foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa said he had received several appeals from relatives of the convicts, asking him to save them from death row.

“Ugandans out there believe that we are a ministry that can do something to save these people. We must not be seen to be condoning drug trafficking. We ask to reduce it to life imprisonment, or bring them back to serve their sentences from home,” he said.

Kutesa also said several non-Ugandan drug traffickers had been arrested while travelling on Ugandans passports.

Mukiibi said the Ugandan Government should not be involved in defending nationals caught in criminal acts abroad.

“We can only request for consular services and that they receive a fair trial. We should not defend these criminals,” he added.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, Ambassador James Mugume, said a diaspora department had been created in the ministry.

He explained that the department had developed a roadmap to engage with Ugandans in the diaspora, as well as to lobby for the protection of the rights of Ugandans living abroad.

Kutesa also revealed that the ministry would establish an institute to train foreign service officers.


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