The United States said on Thursday, May 30, 2024, that it was imposing sanctions on five senior Ugandan officials on allegations of corruption and human rights violations.

Anita Among, Ugandan parliament speaker, was one of four officials sanctioned by the US State Department for “significant corruption” following a similar measure taken by Britain last month. Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, previously ministers in charge of Uganda’s isolated and impoverished border district of Karamoja, and Amos Lugolobi, a former state minister for finance, were also selected.

According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, the three “misused public resources and diverted materials from Uganda’s neediest communities. All four officials abused their public positions for their benefit at the expense of Ugandans” 

In addition, Peter Elwelu, the former deputy leader of the Ugandan Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF), has been sanctioned “due to his involvement in gross human rights violations.” Elwelu was involved in unlawful executions by UPDF troops while commanding defense forces, but he did not provide any other details. “As a result of these actions, the designated Ugandan officials are generally ineligible for entry into the United States.”

Miller said that Washington plans to impose visa restrictions on many Ugandan officials for “undermining the democratic process and repressing members of Uganda’s marginalized or vulnerable populations.” Among, Kitutu, and Nandutu were sanctioned by the British government in April for alleged misconduct.

The Ugandan parliament stated at the time that the sanctions on Among were founded on a “false premise” and were applied in response to her stance on the East African country’s notorious anti-gay legislation adopted last year. Kitutu and Nandutu are accused of stealing roofing materials from a government-funded project for the needy and diverting them to politicians and their families.

AFP

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