The Bamwine dam dispute has triggered a diplomatic fallout after Quilino Bamwine was stripped of his role as consul of Eswatini to Uganda, amid a deepening row over a stalled dam project.
The decision, delivered in a letter dated 31 October 2025, accused Bamwine of fraud, extortion and involvement in a controversial land transaction. It also stated that he failed to respond to prior warnings issued by authorities.
However, sources close to the negotiations say his removal is closely linked to his involvement in efforts to resolve the Kabuyanda earth dam dispute in Isingiro District.
The project, valued at Shs 86bn, began in May 2023 and was expected to be completed within 30 months. It was designed to improve irrigation and water access for communities in the area. Instead, construction has stalled due to contractual disagreements and legal battles.
The dispute dates back to 2022, when Plinth Technical Services entered a partnership with Inyatsi Construction Ltd. The arrangement broke down in October 2023 after Inyatsi terminated the subcontract agreement.
Plinth threatened legal action, while Inyatsi escalated the matter by referring it to the International Chamber of Commerce before withdrawing from the project.
The Ugandan firm later obtained a court order blocking a Shs 21.2bn payment to Inyatsi and sought Shs 5bn in legal costs. Although that ruling was eventually overturned, it contributed to delays and uncertainty surrounding the project.
With the dam at a standstill, Bamwine was asked to intervene using diplomatic channels. Individuals familiar with the process say he travelled to Eswatini with a Ugandan delegation in an attempt to broker a settlement and persuade the contractor to resume work after receiving an advance estimated at Shs 24bn.
Initial talks appeared promising. Sources say both sides reached a verbal understanding involving a $4m settlement. However, negotiations later collapsed over disagreements on guarantees.
Plinth is said to have demanded firm assurances, while Inyatsi was reluctant to commit. Bamwine reportedly proposed a $2m down payment as a compromise, but the suggestion failed to gain traction.
As the talks broke down, scrutiny shifted to Bamwine’s role. Some sources argue he was attempting to protect Ugandan financial interests and recover public funds. Others claim he overstepped his diplomatic mandate during negotiations.
According to one account, reports presented to Eswatini’s foreign affairs leadership portrayed him as acting beyond his official duties. 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 indicated that he would respond publicly 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 delays have raised concerns over public spending and the impact on communities that were expected to benefit from the project.
Observers say the case highlights the risks of cross-border infrastructure partnerships, particularly when commercial disputes intersect with political and diplomatic interests.
