The United States Government has designated the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu. Others are former ministers for Karamoja Mary Gorreti Kitutu, Agnes Nandutu, and current Minister of State for Finance Amos Lugolobi.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the United States Department.
The U.S. government has also designated Among’s spouse, Moses Magogo Hassim, who is the Federation of Uganda Football Association-FUFA President, Kitutu’s spouse, Michael George Kitutu; and Lugolobi’s spouse, Evelyne Nakimera; they also are generally ineligible for entry into the United States.
“Speaker of Parliament Anita Among is designated due to involvement in significant corruption tied to her leadership of Uganda’s Parliament. All four officials abused their public positions for their benefit at the expense of Ugandans,” US sanctions read in part.
Whereas Anita, Lugolobi, Nandutu, and Kitutu are designated for corruption and abuse of office, Elwelu, who is currently serving as presidential advisor on security, has been sanctioned over commanding UPDF that participated in alleged extra-judicial killings.
“Additionally, Peter Elwelu, former Deputy Chief of the Ugandan Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), 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,” US further explains.
Lt Gen Elwelu while UPDF 2nd Division Commander led an assault on the palace of Rwenzururu Kingdom in Kasese, leaving more than 150 people killed while over 200 were arrested and detained for more than five years.
The US said the designations against the four individuals are meant to show solidarity 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.
The US also said that it is 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.
It also said that the sanctions reaffirm its 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.
Last month, the United Kingdom also announced sanctions on Among, Kitutu, and Nandutu over corruption.
Among, according to the UK has utilized resources dubiously accrued from Uganda using her position to make investments including buying a house in the UK.
However, Among told Parliament that she was not bothered by the sanctions and that she did not even own a pussy cat in the UK. She went on to urge the UK to respect other countries’ values and cultures.
The four politicians have joined a long list of Ugandan officials sanctioned by the US such as former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen Edward Kale Kayihura, former Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) commander, Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, Uganda Prisons Commissioner Dr Johnson Byabashaija.
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