The United States Department of State has designated five Ugandan government officials including the speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among, for their involvement in “significant corruption or gross violations of human rights”
According to the Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, Speaker Anita Among is designated due to involvement in significant corruption tied to her leadership of Uganda’s Parliament.
Other four officials are former Minister of Karamoja Affairs Mary Goretti Kitutu, former Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu, Minister of State for Finance Amos Lugolobi and Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy Chief of the Ugandan Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
In an announcement released on the department’s website, the first four including Anita Among are being designated due to their involvement in significant corruption related to conduct that misused public resources and diverted materials from Uganda’s neediest communities.
“All four officials abused their public positions for their personal benefit at the expense of Ugandans.” Miller stated.
On the other hand, Peter Elwelu is designated due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights. Specifically, Peter Elwelu was involved, while commanding UPDF forces, in extrajudicial killings that were committed by members of the UPDF. As a result of these actions, the designated Ugandan officials are generally ineligible for entry into the United States.
These public designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 (Div. F, P.L. 118-47).
The US sanctions come just a few months after the UK government issued sanctions against Among, Kitutu and Nanduttu over their involvement in the Karamoja relief scandal. However, the fresh sanctions do not only affect the immediate individuals but are extended their family members.
“The Department is also designating Among’s spouse, Moses Magogo Hassim; Kitutu’s spouse, Michael George Kitutu; and Lugolobi’s spouse, Evelyne Nakimera; they also are generally ineligible for entry into the United States.” The statement adds.
According to Miller’s statement, the Department is also taking steps to impose visa restrictions on multiple other Ugandan officials for undermining the democratic process and repressing members of marginalized or vulnerable populations in Uganda. The additional steps to impose visa restrictions on multiple other Ugandan individuals are being taken under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act under the policy Secretary Blinken expanded in December 2023.
“The sanctioned individuals are responsible for, or complicit in, the repression of Ugandan members of political opposition groups, civil society organizers, and vulnerable communities in Uganda.” Miller notes.
“The United States stands with Ugandans advocating for democratic principles, a government that delivers for all its citizens, and accountability for actions committed by those who abuse their position through corruption and gross violations of human rights. Impunity allows corrupt officials to stay in power, slows the pace of development, facilitates crime, and causes unequal distribution of resources, which can affect underrepresented and underserved populations disproportionally. Today’s actions reaffirm the U.S. commitment to support transparency in Uganda’s democratic processes, counter corruption globally, and address the broader culture of impunity that prevents all Ugandans from enjoying their human rights and fundamental freedoms.” He adds.
