In a significant move welcomed by Uganda’s opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, the United States Department of State has announced sanctions against five current and former Ugandan officials for their alleged involvement in significant corruption and gross violations of human rights.
Bobi Wine, has publicly praised these sanctions, calling them a step toward justice and accountability.
The sanctioned officials include Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament, who is accused of engaging in serious corruption tied to her leadership role.
Additionally, Amos Lugolobi, the Minister of State for Finance, and former Ministers Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu have been sanctioned for their involvement in corruption related to the misuse of resources meant for Uganda’s Karamoja region.
Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy Chief of the Defence Forces, has been sanctioned for his role in the 2016 Kasese massacre, where over 150 Ugandans were killed.
In a tweet, Bobi Wine expressed his gratitude to the United States for listening to the pleas of oppressed Ugandans.
“We welcome these sanctions and appreciate the Government of the United States for listening to the cry of the oppressed people of Uganda,” he stated.
He emphasized the importance of international support in addressing the impunity perpetuated by the Museveni regime.
“We hope more individuals and organizations responsible for the suffering of our people will be sanctioned,” Wine added. “This sends a clear message to those responsible for gross violations of human rights and the plunder of our nation’s resources that, although they control all institutions that should be holding them accountable today, they are not far from accountability.”
The U.S. sanctions are part of a broader effort to promote transparency and accountability in Uganda. These measures, imposed under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, include travel bans making the designated officials and their immediate family members ineligible for entry into the United States.
The sanctions are seen as a direct response to the persistent calls from Uganda’s civil society and opposition leaders like Bobi Wine, who have long urged the international community to take a stand against corruption and human rights abuses in Uganda. Wine’s praise of the sanctions underscores the growing frustration among many Ugandans over the lack of accountability for public officials.
Bobi Wine’s appeal to the international community has been consistent, urging global leaders to not turn a blind eye to the actions of the Ugandan government. His latest comments reflect a cautious optimism that these sanctions could mark the beginning of a new era of accountability in Ugandan politics.
The U.S. State Department also indicated that additional visa restrictions are being imposed on other Ugandan individuals who have undermined democratic processes and repressed members of political opposition groups, civil society organizers, and vulnerable communities.
Further, the sanctions also targeted spouses of the above individuals.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) president Moses Magogo who is the husband of Speaker Anita Among has been affected.
