Eswatini Sacks Ugandan Consul Bamwine Over Fraud, Land Scandal

The Kingdom of Eswatini has revoked the appointment of its Honorary Consul in Uganda, Mr. Quilino Bamwine, following a series of allegations linking him to extortion, fraud, and a criminal land transaction.

According to local reports, the decision, contained in a letter dated October 31, 2025, and signed by Ambassador Mahlaba A. Mamba, Eswatini’s Permanent Representative to the African Union, marks a rare case of diplomatic censure in East Africa and underscores increasing scrutiny over misconduct involving Ugandan diplomats and honorary consuls abroad.

According to Ambassador Mamba, Mr. Bamwine “failed to respond to earlier warnings” and continued engaging in questionable activities despite repeated interventions by Ugandan authorities.

“Additional allegations of serious misconduct including extortion, fraud, and other criminal activities have since emerged,” Ambassador Mamba wrote.

“Of particular concern are reports implicating you in a land transaction that appears to constitute a criminal act.”

The correspondence, copied to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reveals that both government officials and private individuals had lodged persistent complaints against the consul. Ambassador Mamba noted that Eswatini had been “left with no option but to report [the] alleged misconduct to the relevant authorities,” adding that Bamwine’s appointment was revoked with immediate effect.

Ignored Warnings

The revocation follows a September 19 letter from the Eswatini Embassy in Addis Ababa that had warned Mr. Bamwine to address the allegations or face disciplinary action—a directive he reportedly ignored.

In unusually direct diplomatic language, Ambassador Mamba described the consul’s behavior during an attempted meeting as “unprofessional and unacceptable.”

“You appeared unannounced on the day of my departure, demanding to know why the issues were raised in writing rather than verbally. The manner in which you addressed me was most disturbing,” Mamba stated.

The ambassador added that Uganda’s Office of the Chief of Protocol had expressed “grave concern” over the matter and sought to cooperate with the Eswatini mission to find a resolution.

Broader Pattern of Diplomatic Scandals

This latest episode adds to a growing list of scandals involving Ugandan envoys and foreign missions. Earlier in 2025, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria was recalled over alleged financial improprieties.

Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has in recent years faced mounting pressure to curb misconduct within its diplomatic corps. In 2024, three Ugandan officials were sanctioned by the United Kingdom under its global anti-corruption laws for alleged embezzlement of public funds — a move that spotlighted ongoing governance and integrity challenges.

Calls for Reform

Analysts say the Eswatini case could reignite calls for Kampala to tighten the vetting and supervision of honorary consuls, who often operate as private citizens representing foreign interests without receiving state salaries.

“Uganda’s foreign-service system is under pressure to prove that diplomacy and personal enrichment are not becoming synonymous,” said a Kampala-based governance expert.

Diplomatic observers view Eswatini’s swift action as an effort to protect its diplomatic integrity and send a message of zero tolerance for impropriety within its overseas representations.