Staff Reporter
SATCOM (PTY) Ltd, a military company owned by the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs’ August 26 Group of Companies, has condemned recent allegations that it paid bribes to a Ugandan army official in the amount of N$ 5.5 million to win a N$ 3 billion contract to supply military radios.
The company, in a statement, said that these accusations have no basis and are harmful to the growth and reputation of Namibia’s defence and technology sector on the global stage.
The deal reportedly led to the arrest of Colonel Peter Ssemakula, the head of communications and information technology for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), in June 2024, due to his alleged involvement in a contract to supply military radios to the Ugandan army.
“SatCom (PTY) Ltd condemns and refutes the false and unsubstantiated allegations. The company strongly denies the claims made regarding our alleged involvement in corruption related to a defence contract in Uganda. SatCom has never engaged in corrupt practices to secure a contract with any government or organisation. SatCom is a fully transparent and reputable Namibian company committed to ethical business practices and the development of the local economy,” Glen Brown, Acting Managing Director, said.
He added that they fully support efforts to combat corruption but condemn malicious and false accusations that unfairly damage successful companies and undermine national interests.
He added that the spread of false information damages Namibia’s reputation as an emerging player in defence technology and discourages international partners from investing in the country.
“If left unchallenged, such defamatory claims allow foreign corporations to dominate high-value contracts at the expense of Namibian industry and innovation. SatCom remains committed to upholding Namibia’s reputation, protecting local businesses, and ensuring fair competition in global markets. We will not tolerate baseless attacks that threaten the growth and future of our country’s industrial sector,” Brown concluded.
