KAMPALA. Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) says it received multiple complaints against former honorary consul of eSwatini, Quilino Bamwine, whose appointment was revoked last month over allegations of extortion, fraud and a criminal land deal.
eSwatini’s ambassador to the African Union, Mahlaba A. Mamba, said Bamwine ignored earlier warnings and continued alleged illicit activities despite repeated interventions by Ugandan authorities.
Mamba added that both government authorities and private individuals had filed “persistent complaints” about Bamwine’s conduct, leaving the eSwatini embassy with no choice but to report the alleged misconduct to Kampala.
A senior official at the MoFA, who is not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed that those concerns are contained in Mamba’s letter dated October 31, 2025.
MoFA Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire told Monitor that after receiving complaints about Bamwine’s conduct, the ministry advised the alleged victims to take their cases to law enforcement, emphasizing that Bamwine does not enjoy diplomatic immunity.
“We have received several complaints about his conduct in the past and advised the victims to report their cases to the police since he does not enjoy diplomatic cover that comes with immunity,” Bagiire told Newzzone publication on Monday.
Bamwine did not immediately respond to the allegations and attempts by this reporter to reach him were unsuccessful by press time Monday night. However, one of his aides, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “Bamwine is aware of the claims and plans to provide a formal response.”
Swaziland was in April 2018 renamed eSwatini by King Mswati who rules by decree over millions of his subjects, majority of whom follow the traditional way of life. In 2020, King Mswati III appointed Bamwine, a businessman, as its first consul.
Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs at the time Henry Okello Oryem said by assuming the role, he became the official representative of eSwatini in Uganda and would be promoting interests of eSwatini in the East African country.
It was the first time eSwatini was establishing a consulate in Kampala.
What next?
In international law, a consul is an official appointed by a state to reside in a foreign city to protect and assist the interests of the sending state and its nationals, particularly in commercial, legal, and administrative matters. Bamwine therefore doesn’t hold diplomatic status.
“The principle is that no one enjoys diplomatic immunity in their own country. As such, Honorary consuls are liable to arrest and prosecution should they offend the law,” PS Bagiire stated. Uganda currently has 52 honorary consuls who represent interests of foreign states.