By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The US government has slapped financial sanctions against the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence Chief, Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho.
This was confirmed yesterday, 7th December 2021 by a press statement released by the UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso.
In the statement, Byekwaso condemned the decision by the United States government to issue financial sanctions against Kandiho.
Financial sanctions prevent a firm/an individual from carrying out transactions and/or financial services with a person or organisation (known as ‘the target’). In effect financial sanctions against Maj. Gen. Kandiho by the US government means, he can’t have any financial transactions in America.
Byekwaso said UPDF had been officially notified about the unilateral financial sanctions.
‘As a country and the UPDF, in particular, a reputable government institution, we are disappointed that such a decision could be made by a country we consider friendly, a partner and a great ally, without due processes and in total disregard to the principles of fair hearing, coupled with failure to make the necessary consultations,’ she added.
Byekwaso said that going forward, they would be seeking clarification from the US government authorities.
Kandiho becomes the second senior UPDF officer to be issued with sanctions by the US after the former Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura.
It was not yet clear why the US had issued sanctions against Kandiho but sources in security noted it could have been partly because of his high handedness and violations of human rights.
He is among the senior UPDF officers indicted by the US Government over human rights violations.
By press time it was not yet clear what the sanctions meant but sources privy said, his accounts would be frozen and that he would be barred from travelling to the US or engaging in any financial dealing with US citizens and companies.
