By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The US government has slapped sanctions on Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among alongside her husband, Hassim Magogo.
In a press statement issued today, 30th May, 2024 titled, “Designation of Ugandan Officials,” Matthew Miller, the Spokesperson of U.S Department of State names other sanctioned officials as 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 fifth is Peter Elwelu, former Deputy Chief of the Ugandan Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among is designated due to involvement in significant corruption tied to her leadership of Uganda’s Parliament.
Whereas, Goretti Kitutu, Agnes Nandutu and Amos Lugolobi 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,” reads the statement in part.
Elweluis 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.
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.
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.
“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,” says Matthew.
Additionally, 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.
