Egyptian diplomat wanted for trafficking Ugandan girls

The Uganda government is in a legal and diplomatic dilemma over an Egyptian diplomat it accuses of trafficking in humans. The incident happened in Kampala in June, but the official has since been transferred back to Cairo.

The Observer has learnt from various sources that police, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the ministry of Foreign Affairs have been cautious in their approach for fear of causing a diplomatic row.

“We would have asked for a waiver [of his immunity] if he was still in the country ... As things are now, it is a bit difficult. But my lawyers are studying the case,” said James Mugume, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“What I heard is that the girl wanted to do kyeyo (odd jobs abroad) and that she applied and even paid for the job. These are complicated cases. You cannot know until you study the law, both local and international,” he said.

It is alleged that the diplomat, while serving in Uganda, met two Ugandan girls, and promised them jobs in Cairo, Egypt. However, on arrival in Cairo, the girls, whose identities are still concealed as investigations continue, were instead subjected to slavery.

“They were held incommunicado. When relatives to one of the girls contacted the Egyptian, he demanded for money. If someone is working, you don’t ask their relatives for money,” a police detective told this paper. It is that demand that sparked off a complaint in June by the girl’s relatives.

But in a bizarre twist, the suspect was recalled from his post in Kampala, back to Cairo, which left the Uganda police frustrated. It is not clear whether the transfer was routine or intended to defeat justice in Uganda.

“We had wanted to put some questions to the diplomat. To listen to his side of the story,” a police source told this paper.

The police then sought the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Richard Buteera, who in turn sought advice from the ministry of Foreign Affairs. The police became even more frustrated when the victim grew cold feet.

“She didn’t want to record a statement. Her family was also hesitant because they feel that once the statements are recorded, it may be embarrassing to them,” the police source explained.

The police say it is common for witnesses to get hesitant in cases relating to trafficking in humans which usually involves young and gullible girls looking for employment. The countries where most of the girls are taken include China, India, Malaysia, Iraq and now Egypt. The Egyptian embassy in Kampala declined to comment on the matter.

Contributed by the OBSERVER