President Yoweri Museveni has long championed Uganda’s economic expansion, traveling the world to establish trade outlets and push for international markets. However, emerging details suggest that some of these so-called trade hubs were nothing more than coffee shops—despite millions of dollars being funneled into them.
At the center of this unfolding controversy is Mark Pursey, the man reportedly appointed as Uganda’s business and trade envoy to the UK. It now appears that Pursey, whose credentials and legitimacy are under scrutiny, has vanished—leaving behind a trail of unpaid Ugandan workers and unanswered questions about the viability of the trade investments he was overseeing.
In recent years, President Museveni has pushed for aggressive economic diplomacy, personally attending trade summits and launching business councils to facilitate Uganda’s exports. His delegation to London in December 2022, which included his son-in-law Odrek Rwabwogo, was supposed to strengthen Uganda’s business ties. However, instead of tangible export markets, reports suggest that many of the so-called trade hubs established under this initiative turned out to be mere coffee shops, raising concerns about misallocation of resources.
The government had entrusted key figures, including Rwabwogo and Pursey, to spearhead Uganda’s trade expansion. Parliament even approved UGX 37 billion for export promotion under Rwabwogo’s committee, despite opposition from MPs who questioned the lack of transparency surrounding these funds. Now, as scrutiny mounts, the credibility of these business deals—and those behind them—is being questioned.
At the peak of the controversial investment, First Son who was then just a presidential advisor, took to his social media lambursting his brother in law for siphoning state resources. However, Gen Muhoozi’s social media posts were brushed off as mere rants.
But emerging details are proving sceptics wrong.
Mark Pursey, the purported trade envoy, was positioned as a crucial link between Uganda and the UK business community. However, new reports indicate that he has since disappeared, leaving many Ugandans he had employed in limbo. Employees have reportedly gone months without pay, unsure whether they still have jobs or if the entire initiative was just a costly façade.
As details of Pursey’s vanishing act surface, questions arise: Was President Museveni misled into trusting a quack envoy? Were Uganda’s trade ambitions hijacked by individuals with self-serving interests? And most importantly, who will be held accountable for the millions of dollars spent on ventures that may have yielded little to no economic return?
With Uganda’s trade diplomacy efforts now under intense scrutiny, the public awaits an official response from State House. But as it stands, the country may have just witnessed one of the most embarrassing financial blunders in its pursuit of international markets.
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