Ugandan Officials Sanctioned for Corruption, Human Rights Violations

The US imposed sanctions on five Ugandan officials for alleged corruption or human rights abuses. Among those targeted are Uganda’s parliament speaker Anita Among, former ministers Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu from the Karamoja border region, and ex-finance minister Amos Lugolobi.

They face travel bans due to “significant corruption” involving misusing public resources and diverting aid from vulnerable communities. Additionally, Peter Elwelu, ex-deputy chief of the Ugandan Peoples’ Defence Forces, was penalized for severe human rights violations.

These sanctions intend to challenge democratic processes and protect marginalized groups in Uganda. They were implemented in April following similar measures by the UK. The Ugandan parliament criticized the sanctions as unfounded and tied to the nation’s controversial anti-gay laws.