Government has deported MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer Wim Vanhelleputte, this website has learnt.
Wim has been MTN Uganda CEO since 2016.
A Deportation Order signed by Internal Affairs Minister, Jeje Odongo, deemed the Belgian National as an “undesirable immigrant.”
“Now therefore by virtue of the powers vested in me by Section 60 (1) of the UGANDA CITIZEN-SHIP AND IMMIGRATION CONTROL ACT, I hereby direct that the said, Wim Vanhelleputte be deported from and remain out of Uganda indefinitely,” the Deportation Order read in part.
Confirmed Wim’s deportation, Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said, “Issues of national security are a priority in Uganda.”.
Wim’s deportation comes barely a month after the arrest and deportation of three top managers for alleged involvement in activities that compromise national security.
The managers include Olivier Prentout (French), the Chief Marketing Officer, Elsa Muzzolinni (Italian), the Head of Mobile financial Services and Ann Tabuura (Rwandan), the General Manager for sales and distribution.
The trio was deported on Saturday January 19th, Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd respectively.
Prior to his deportation, Wim was Tuesday summoned by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) in a fresh investigation into the MTN Uganda’s operations.
This website understands that CMI questioned Wim over claims that the three who were deported in January were allowed to access MTN Uganda systems remotely.
This, sources reveal happened after the three attended an MTN Global leaders’ conference in Dubai a week ago.
They apparently attended as part of the delegation from Uganda despite having been kicked out of the country in January.
Vanhelleputte was summoned after CMI learnt of the development, raising questions on why the deported officials, who were suspected of espionage would be allowed into a system.