Two MTN Uganda staff deported for compromising national security

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By

Gloria Nakiyimba

Authorities in Uganda have deported two foreign nationals working for leading mobile telecommunication company MTN, for alleged involvement in activities that compromise national security.

MTN Uganda’s Chief Marketing Officer Olivier Prentout, a French national, was arrested on Saturday 19 January upon arrival at Entebbe airport from a business trip abroad.

According to a statement from MTN Uganda Head of Sales and Distribution, Annie Bilenge Tabura, a Rwandan national was arrested by unidentified security personnel upon arrival at the MTN Headquarters offices in Kampala on Monday 21st January.

Uganda’s Deputy Police spokesperson Polly Namaye confirmed that Prentout has been deported from Uganda back to France and Bilenge deported to her home country Rwanda.

“This is to inform the general public that security agencies in close coordination with immigration officials have been investigating two foreign nationals working with a leading Mobile Telecom company over their engagements in acts which compromise national security,” read part of a statement issued by the Uganda police deputy spokesperson Namaye on Tuesday.

She further explained that the two foreigners were using their employment as tools to achieve their ill motive, their deportation enabling security to disrupt their intended plans of compromising Uganda’s national security.

“We urge members of the public to remain alert and continue helping police and its sister agencies by reporting any suspicious activity,” said Namaye.

MTN confirmed the deportation of its employees. In a brief statement released Tuesday, MTN management said it remains fully committed to operating within and respecting the laws of the country.

Gloria Nakiyimba

Gloria has experience spanning more than five years in Journalism, particularly in field reporting, editing, newscasting and management. She is currently working with Capital Radio Limited [91.3 Capital FM and 96.3 Beat FM] as Head of News, a position she has held since 2010.

Gloria previously worked as the Kampala Correspondent for Radio France International [RFI] generating local story leads with international inference for RFI’s global audience. She also served as Political Editor for The Weekly Mail Newspaper as well as Online Content Editor for the California based Ugandan broadcaster KubutakaRadio.com.