By Our Reporter
The Kingdom of Eswatini has revoked the appointment of its Honorary Consul in Uganda, Quilino Bamwine after a string of allegations linking him to extortion, fraud, and a criminal land transaction.
The move marks a rare diplomatic censure in East Africa and underscores growing scrutiny of alleged misconduct by Ugandan diplomats abroad.
In the letter dated October 31, 2025, Eswatini’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Mahlaba A. Mamba, said Bamwine had “failed to respond” to earlier warnings and continued to engage in alleged illicit activities despite repeated interventions by Ugandan authorities.
“Additional allegations of serious misconduct including extortion, fraud, and other criminal activities have since emerged,” the letter states.
“Of particular concern are reports implicating you in a land transaction that appears to constitute a criminal act.”Ambassador Mamba added that both “government authorities and private individuals” had filed persistent complaints about the consul’s behavior.
“The Embassy has been left with no option but to report your alleged misconduct to the relevant authorities,” he wrote, adding that Eswatini’s government had “advised that we revoke your appointment as Honorary Consul… with immediate effect.”The correspondence, copied to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reveals rare diplomatic censure of a Ugandan-based representative.
It also follows a September 19 letter from the Eswatini Embassy warning Mr Quilino to address the allegations, a directive he ignored.
“Unprofessional and Unacceptable”In unusually direct language for a diplomatic exchange, Ambassador Mamba said Mr Quilino’s conduct during an attempted meeting was “both 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,” Mamba wrote.
“The manner in which you addressed me was most disturbing.”
The letter adds that Uganda’s Office of the Chief of Protocol had expressed “grave concern” about the matter and had sought to collaborate with the Eswatini mission “in exploring ways to jointly address the issue.”
Officials familiar with the case said the decision signals Eswatini’s intention to protect its diplomatic integrity after the consul allegedly misused his position to solicit payments and exploit real-estate transactions.
Uganda’s Foreign Ministry has not publicly commented on the Eswatini decision.
