The US Department of State has slapped sanctions on five Ugandan officials, including Speaker Anita Among and former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Peter Elwelu over what it describes as involvement in corruption and human rights violations.
The sanctions, which were announced in a statement issued on Thursday, May 30, 2024, also implicate former Minister of Karamoja Affairs Mary Goretti Kitutu, former Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu, and Minister of State for Finance Amos Lugolobi.
The three, according to the US, 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.”
Additionally, 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 US says the designated Ugandan officials are ineligible for entry into the United States.
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 Department of State said it is also taking steps to impose visa restrictions on multiple other Ugandan officials accusing them of undermining the democratic process and repressing members of marginalized or vulnerable populations in Uganda.
“These individuals are responsible for, or complicit in, the repression of Ugandan members of political opposition groups, civil society organizers, and vulnerable communities in Uganda,” the statement adds.
The United States says it 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.”
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 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.
This comes after the UK slapped similar sanctions on Among, Kitutu and Nandutu, accusing them of corruption in connection with their handling of the Karamoja iron sheets scandal.
