The Bamwine dam dispute has widened after Quilino Bamwine was removed as consul of Eswatini to Uganda, following a protracted conflict linked to a stalled dam project.
The decision, outlined in a letter dated 31 October 2025, cited allegations of fraud, extortion and involvement in a disputed land transaction. Officials also said he had failed to respond to earlier warnings.
However, sources familiar with the matter suggest the move is closely tied to his role in attempts to resolve the troubled Kabuyanda earth dam project in Isingiro District.
The Shs 86bn project began in May 2023 and was expected to be completed within 30 months. It was designed to improve irrigation and water access in the region. Instead, construction has stalled due to contractual disagreements and legal disputes.
The conflict dates back to 2022 when Plinth Technical Services partnered with Inyatsi Construction Ltd. Relations broke down in October 2023 after Inyatsi terminated the subcontract with Plinth.
Plinth threatened legal action, while Inyatsi escalated the dispute by referring it to the International Chamber of Commerce before withdrawing from the project.
The Ugandan firm later sought relief in local courts, securing a temporary order blocking a Shs 21.2bn payment to Inyatsi and seeking Shs 5bn in costs. Although that ruling was later overturned, it contributed to delays and uncertainty around the project.
With work at a standstill, Bamwine was asked to intervene using diplomatic channels. People familiar with the talks say he travelled to Eswatini with a Ugandan delegation in an effort to broker a settlement and persuade the contractor to return to the site after receiving an advance estimated at Shs 24bn.
Initial discussions suggested progress. Sources indicate that both sides reached a verbal agreement involving a $4m settlement. However, negotiations later collapsed over disagreements on 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 proposal did not materialise.
As the talks broke down, attention shifted to Bamwine’s role. Some sources say he was attempting to protect Ugandan financial interests and recover public funds already advanced to the contractor. Others argue he exceeded his diplomatic mandate.
According to one account, reports presented to Eswatini’s foreign affairs leadership portrayed him as acting beyond his official responsibilities. The situation was further complicated by the involvement of senior figures linked to the contractor, increasing pressure on authorities to act.
Bamwine declined to comment, saying the matter remains under investigation. He said he would provide his account once the process is complete.
The dispute is now before the International Chamber of Commerce, where arbitration proceedings are ongoing. The outcome is expected to determine financial responsibility and contractual obligations.
Meanwhile, the Kabuyanda dam remains unfinished. The delay has raised concerns about public spending and the impact on communities that were expected to benefit from the project.
Analysts say the case highlights the risks associated with cross-border infrastructure projects, particularly when commercial disputes intersect with diplomacy and politics.
