MTN Uganda Chief Executive, Wim Vanhelleputte has been deported back to his home country Belgium. According to Police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the telco’s boss was deported over allegations of “engagement in acts which compromise the country’s national security”
However, the allegations are still unclear.
It’s reported that the Mr. Wim departed Uganda at 11PM (EAT) on Thursday 14, February 2019 aboard Brussels Airlines. MTN Uganda this morning said via Twitter, it has appointed Gordian Kyomukama, currently Chief Technology Officer, as Acting CEO.
In a letter signed by Internal Affairs Minister Gen. Jeje Odongo, Mr. Wim is to stay outside Uganda indefinitely. The deportation order, stated that Mr. Wim was deported in accordance with section 60 (1) of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act. The order further states that, Mr. Wim has been deemed to be undesirable immigrant by virtue of section 52 (g) of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act.
His deportation comes three weeks after three of telco’s senior staff including; Olivier Prentout (French), Annie Bilenge Tabura (Rwandese) and Ms. Elsa Mussolini (Italy) were deported on the same allegations of comprising national security.
After Elsa deportation, Wim was summoned along with Anthony Katamba; General Manager corporate services as well as Chief Legal Counsel at MTN Uganda — questioned by detectives at Special Investigations Division about the three staff members involvement in activities considered to be subversive to the country..
According to SoftPower, Wim stayed in contact with the deported staff members, which he admitted to doing so. A security official close to this case told the news website the MTN boss was obstructing investigations in matters concerning with national security.
Police is said to issue an official statement regrading the deportation on Wim Vanhelleputte later today. [related-posts]
Editor’s Note : This article has been updated since its time of publication.
