Kampala, Uganda: The Bamwine dam dispute has taken a new turn after Quilino Bamwine was removed as consul of Eswatini to Uganda, in a case linked to a stalled multi-billion shilling infrastructure project.
His dismissal, confirmed in a letter dated 31 October 2025, cited allegations including fraud, extortion and involvement in a controversial land transaction. Officials also stated that he had failed to respond to earlier warnings.
Yet sources familiar with the developments say the decision followed his involvement in efforts to resolve the troubled Kabuyanda earth dam project in Isingiro District.
The dam, valued at Shs 86bn, was launched in May 2023 and scheduled for completion within 30 months. It was intended to boost irrigation and improve water supply in southern Uganda. Instead, work has stalled due to contractual disagreements and legal challenges.
The dispute began in 2022 when Plinth Technical Services partnered with Inyatsi Construction Ltd. Relations broke down in October 2023 when Inyatsi terminated the subcontract with Plinth.
The Ugandan firm threatened legal action, while Inyatsi escalated the matter by referring it to the International Chamber of Commerce before exiting the project.
Plinth then sought redress in Ugandan courts, where it secured a temporary order blocking a Shs 21.2bn payment to Inyatsi and sought Shs 5bn in costs. Although that decision was later overturned, it contributed to delays and uncertainty around the project.
As the dispute intensified, Bamwine was approached to intervene using diplomatic channels. Individuals close to the talks say he travelled to Eswatini with a delegation in an effort to broker a settlement and persuade the contractor to return to complete the work.
Initial discussions appeared to offer a breakthrough. Sources say a verbal agreement was reached involving a $4m settlement to resolve the dispute. However, negotiations later collapsed over disagreements about payment guarantees.
Plinth reportedly demanded firm assurances before accepting the deal, while Inyatsi was unwilling to provide them. Bamwine is said to have proposed a $2m down payment as a compromise, but the plan did not materialise.
As talks broke down, attention turned to Bamwine’s role. Some sources say he was attempting to protect Ugandan interests and recover funds already advanced to the contractor. Others argue he overstepped his diplomatic mandate.
According to one account, reports submitted to Eswatini’s foreign affairs authorities portrayed him as engaging in activities beyond his official role. The situation was further complicated by the involvement of influential figures linked to the contractor, increasing pressure on decision-makers.
Bamwine declined to comment when contacted, saying the matter remains under investigation. He added that he would provide his account once the process is concluded.
The dispute is now before the International Chamber of Commerce, where arbitration is expected to determine liability and financial obligations between the parties.
Meanwhile, construction of the Kabuyanda dam remains incomplete. The delays have raised concerns about public funds and the impact on communities that were expected to benefit from the project.
Observers say the case highlights the challenges of managing cross-border infrastructure projects, particularly when commercial disputes intersect with diplomacy and politics.
