Deported MTN Uganda Chief Executive, Mr. Wim Vanhelleputte will resume his duties, after H.E President Museveni exercised his executive discretion to allow him return in the country.
Both the Senior Press Secretary to the President; Don Wanyama and MTN Uganda confirmed this on Thursday afternoon.
“Following discussions with MTN Group top management, President Museveni has exercised his executive discretion and allowed MTN Uganda CEO, Wim Vanhelleputte, back into the country. He is expected to resume his duties,” Wanyama wrote in a tweet.
The telco’s Group CEO Rob Shuter, replied to the tweet saying, “We are very grateful for the support and goodwill that has made this possible. We are so pleased that Wim can be reunited firstly with his wife and family and secondly with his MTN Uganda family. Welcome home Wim.”
The telco has also showed its gratitude to the President in an appreciation tweet that read;
“MTN wishes to express its gratitude to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, all government officials, Ministries, Departments and Agencies for their support and goodwill for making this possible,” writes MTN Uganda in a tweet.
To recall Mr. Wim was deported back to his home country Belgium in Feb. 2019 over allegations of “engagement in acts which compromise the country’s national security.”
His deportation came three weeks after three of telco’s senior staff; Olivier Prentout (French), Annie Bilenge Tabura (Rwandese) and Ms. Elsa Mussolini (Italy) were deported back to their respective countries on the same allegations — “comprising national security”.
Since the deportation of the telco’s senior staff, President Museveni has on some occasions seen meeting the company’s top executives — MTN Group Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko and Rob Shuter, The Group CEO.
Mr. Gordian Kyomukama has been the Acting CEO of MTN Uganda since the deportation of Mr. Wim. He was appointed Act. CEO on Feb. 15th temporarily leaving his position as the telco’s Chief Technology Officer.
During his time as CEO, we have to appreciate the work(s) and efforts he has put in the telco.
