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Uganda deports two MTN expatriates over compromising national security
Deported: A photo montage of MTN Uganda’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mr Olivier Prentout and the general manager Sales and Distribution, Ms Annie Tabura. COURTESY PHOTOS
What you need to know:
- Mr Prentout has been working as MTN Uganda’s Chief Marketing Officer while Ms Tabura was the general manager Sales and Distribution.
Two employees of telecom company MTN Uganda, have been arrested and deported over allegations of compromising the country's national security.
Deputy police spokesperson Ms Polly Namaye identified the suspects as Olivier Prentout, a French national and Annie Tabura, a Rwandan.
Mr Prentout has been working as MTN Uganda’s Chief Marketing Officer while Ms Tabura was the general manager Sales and Distribution.
Ms Namaye said security agencies in the close coordination with immigration officials have been investigating the two foreign nationals over their engagements in acts which compromise national security.
Deputy police spokesperson Ms Polly Namaye
“We want to commend the Directorate of Immigration and Citizenship control for strengthening the screening procedures at all border points. We strongly believe that the deportation of the two foreigners, who were using their employment as tools to achieve their ill motives, has enabled us disrupt their intended plans of compromising our national security,” she said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The telecom’s Manager - corporate communications, Mr Val Oketcho confirmed the development saying Mr Prentout was arrested on January 19, 2019 by police at Entebbe airport upon arrival from a business trip abroad.
"On the morning of January 21, 2019, Ms Tabura was arrested by unidentified security personnel upon arrival at the MTN headquarter offices, in Kololo, Kampala. MTN Uganda, together with all its employees, remains fully committed to operating within and respecting the laws of the country," he said.
This is not the first time Ugandan security agencies have raided MTN offices.
In July 2018, security agents in civilian wear, raided the MTN data centre in Mutundwe, south of Kampala, which the telecom said in a statement was out of order.
