United States Senator and Presidential candidate Rollan Roberts has voiced strong opposition to the United Kingdom’s sanctions imposed on Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among. In a statement, Roberts called for the immediate withdrawal of these sanctions, describing them as unjust and retaliatory.
The UK’s sanctions, announced on April 30, 2024, were a reaction to Uganda’s recent passage of an anti-homosexuality bill. The sanctions, issued under the “Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions” framework, were unprecedented and aimed directly at Speaker Among. Roberts criticized this move as an attempt by a foreign nation to interfere with Uganda’s internal affairs and moral governance.
Roberts highlighted his belief that many global anti-corruption agencies are inherently corrupt, particularly in less developed nations. He argued that these agencies are often tools for organized corruption rather than solutions, and he expressed disappointment that the UK’s sanctions were used to punish Uganda for not aligning with foreign expectations.
As part of his presidential platform, Roberts has pledged to pardon whistleblowers like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, reduce or eliminate U.S. sanctions on countries such as Liberia and South Sudan, and now includes Rt. Hon. Anita Among in his list of individuals he will support against unjust sanctions. He asserted that the UK’s sanctions were likely influenced by the United States and promised to demand their retraction if elected.
Roberts condemned the Biden administration’s stance on withholding funding from African nations that pass anti-LGBTQIA+ laws, suggesting that while nations have the right to control their aid, targeting individuals for their countries’ cultural choices is immoral.
He emphasized that, as President, he would ensure that sanctions are used judiciously and with integrity, not as tools for coercion. Roberts urged the UK to lift its sanctions on Among and called on the U.S. to pressure the UK to comply. He reiterated his campaign’s commitment to fair treatment of all nations and people, advocating for a foreign policy rooted in respect and ethical conduct.
