By Ronaldo Kalangi
The recently deported chief executive officer of MTN Uganda, Mr.Wim Vanhelleputte has sued the Gov’t of Uganda through the Attorney General for alleged illegal deportation without according him a fair hearing.
The Belgian national claims that his rights were excessively abused by the time of arrest and deportation by Ugandan security agencies.
Wim, through his lawyers has revealed that before the Minister of Internal Affairs Gen Jeje Odongo signed on his deportation documents, he was never given chance to be heard so he could explain himself to Ugandan security authorities.
“I have never committed any offence or criminal act under the laws of Uganda and neither am I responsible for breaking any law. There’s no lawful reason whatsoever for his deportation. It’s in the interest of justice that his deportation be revoked,” his lawyer prayed.
Wim further said that he has been in Uganda for more than 20 years with no criminal record or offence, and is happily married to a Ugandan woman, Babra Adoso since 2000 with whom they have two children (Vanhelleputte Jason and Vanhelleputte Jonathan) who will innocently be affected by his illegal deportation.
Mr Wim now wants High Court to declare his deportation by the Internal Affairs minister, Jeje Odongo as null and void.
He maintains that the years he has stayed in Uganda qualifies him to also be Ugandan citizen who should enjoy full human rights as enshrined in Ugandan constitution.
He requested court to grant him general damages for illegal detention and deportation because of time wasted and humiliation he suffered at the time of his arrest by Ugandan security operatives.
He went on to say that his family members, friends and business community he was dealing with were all traumatised by the situation he went through.
The date to start hearing of his case is yet to be fixed.
Atleast four top employees of MTN-Uganda have since been deported back to their respective countries over matters related to compromising on National security using their powerful positions in the company.
These include; Wim Vanhelleputte , the former CEO who was deported back to Belgium, Olivier Printout (Chief Marketing Officer) back to France, Mussolini Elsa (Former General Manager) deported back to Italy and Annie Tabura Birenge former General Manager for sales and distribution who was deported back Rwanda.
