KAMPALA
The Head of the European Union Delegation in Uganda is leaving the country prematurely, weeks after his public criticism of President Musevenis perceived succession plan stirred uproar, compelling government to summon him and seek an explanation.
According to diplomatic sources, Mr Roberto Ridolfi, who had said Uganda was not a monarchy for the President to hand over power to his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, will leave in October instead of December 2013, when his three-year tenure was due to lapse.
Diplomatic sources told the Daily Monitor that Amb Ridolfi has been redeployed after his position became untenable when he was summoned and grilled by the Kampala authorities, following his stinging criticism of President Musevenis State-of-the-Nation Address in June. The government reportedly also filed a protest note to EU authorities in Brussels sources said.
Amb Ridolfi will now become the director for cooperation at the EU Commissions Development and Cooperation directorate-general, responsible for developing policies and delivering European aid across the world.
He was reported already out of the country on holiday and Mr Simon Kasyate, EUs press and information officer in Kampala, would neither confirm nor deny his imminent departure.
The Head of the European Union Delegation in Uganda is leaving the country prematurely, weeks after his public criticism of President Musevenis perceived succession plan stirred uproar, compelling government to summon him and seek an explanation.
According to diplomatic sources, Mr Roberto Ridolfi, who had said Uganda was not a monarchy for the President to hand over power to his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, will leave in October instead of December 2013, when his three-year tenure was due to lapse.
Diplomatic sources told the Daily Monitor that Amb Ridolfi has been redeployed after his position became untenable when he was summoned and grilled by the Kampala authorities, following his stinging criticism of President Musevenis State-of-the-Nation Address in June. The government reportedly also filed a protest note to EU authorities in Brussels sources said.
Amb Ridolfi will now become the director for cooperation at the EU Commissions Development and Cooperation directorate-general, responsible for developing policies and delivering European aid across the world.
He was reported already out of the country on holiday and Mr Simon Kasyate, EUs press and information officer in Kampala, would neither confirm nor deny his imminent departure.
