By Max Patrick Ocaido
The government of Mauritius has denied holding a ‘secret’ meeting with Uganda’s state minister for Investments and Privatization Everlyn Anite over the acquisition of shares in the embattled Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL).
Mauritius government owns over 30% shares in Mauritius Telecom Limited (MTL), one of the companies that had bid to recapitalize UTL.
In August, Ugandan media was awash with news that minister Anite had secretly travelled to Mauritius to meet directors of the said company in a sinister move meant to give them the multibillion contract. Whereas Anite admitted travelling to Mauritius, she denied meeting the MTL directors and holding any discussions with them in regards to UTL.
Indeed in a letter dated September 23, 2019, G. Banymandhub, Mauritius’ secretary to Cabinet, says that no meetings have been held between representatives of MT and any member of Ugandan government including Evelyn Anite.
Banymandhub said that Mauritius government pulled out of the process of acquiring a stake in UTL in September 2018 after realizing that another bidder [Teleology Holdings] was in process of being awarded the contract and that they have since then not pursued any matter in regards to UTL.
“MT has confirmed that no meeting was held between Mrs Evelyn Anite and themselves in Mauritius and they were not even aware if Mrs Anite travelled to Mauritius in August 2019,” the statement reads.
In January 2018, MT was among the 6 companies that were shortlisted to recapitalize UTL and return it to profitability. During February and April 2018, MT effected several visits to Uganda to carry out a due diligence exercise on the company and to present its development plan.
“We have been made to understand that MT liaised with only Bemanya Twebaze, Administrator UTL and his team. However, no meetings were held between representatives of MT and any member of the Ugandan government, including Mrs Anite,” Banymandhub said.
Recently, Anite complained of a ploy by ‘mafias’ who want to kill her over her role in finding a suitable investor to resuscitate UTL.
