The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly denied reports alleging that a Ugandan diplomat was expelled from the United Kingdom over involvement in human trafficking. In a statement released on Friday, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire clarified that the reports were false and that no Ugandan envoy had been dismissed from their post in the UK.
PS Bagiire explained that the diplomats in question had completed their regular tour of duty, which typically spans three to four years. They were recalled to Kampala for further assignments, in line with standard diplomatic protocol.
“The officials were not expelled but recalled for redeployment after the completion of their tenure in the United Kingdom,” Bagiire said in the statement. “This is the normal practice for diplomats upon the end of their duty.”
The refutation follows a media report from a local news website that had alleged the diplomat was part of a human trafficking ring, smuggling Ugandan women into the UK under the guise of offering them employment as domestic workers.
Bagiire condemned the report as misleading and clarified that human trafficking, defined as the unlawful transport or coercion of people for forced labor or sexual exploitation, is a serious crime and should not be taken lightly.
“The Ministry remains committed to the fight against human trafficking and will continue to work with both national and international partners to ensure the safety and dignity of all Ugandans,” he said.
The Ministry called on media outlets to verify information before publication to avoid damaging reputations and spreading falsehoods. It also reassured the public that it continues to monitor the activities of all Ugandan missions abroad and takes any allegations of misconduct very seriously.
This clarification brings an end to the speculations surrounding the departure of the diplomat and reinforces the Ministry’s stand on the integrity of its officials serving in foreign missions.