Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Anita Among has Wednesday publicly celebrated former U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported win in the 2024 presidential election, making bold claims that her U.S.-imposed sanctions would soon be lifted.
Among’s statements came amid a charged session in the Ugandan Parliament over the National Coffee Amendment Bill, in which she presided over a vote that resulted in the controversial Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) being transferred back under the Ministry of Agriculture.
During the proceedings, Among took the opportunity to address her sanctions, declaring that Trump’s victory marked a hopeful turning point in her relationship with the United States.
“I want to assure members, no amount of intimidation can ever move me from where I am,” she stated, attributing her resilience to her convictions despite the Biden administration’s sanctions. She went on to say, “Now that Trump has won, the sanctions are gone,” suggesting she anticipated Trump’s administration would reverse the penalties placed upon her by the Biden-led U.S. government.
Among’s remarks alluded to her confidence in a new U.S. administration being potentially more lenient toward Ugandan officials facing corruption allegations.
The U.S. sanctions on Among, alongside several other Ugandan officials, were imposed due to alleged human rights abuses and “significant corruption” in her role as Speaker of Parliament.
The Biden administration’s sanctions aimed at curbing what it described as a culture of impunity among high-ranking Ugandan officials who misuse public resources for personal gain. Alongside Among, her husband and fellow Member of Parliament, Moses Magogo, and several former officials were banned from entry into the United States. This action, taken under Section 7031(c) of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, underscored Washington’s heightened commitment to addressing alleged corruption within Uganda’s political system
Her remarks also reflect a larger strain in Uganda-U.S. relations, following contentious policies enacted by the Ugandan government, such as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, that have drawn sharp international criticism.
The Speaker’s celebration of a possible political shift in the U.S. indicates her perception of Trump’s presidency as potentially more favorable toward her administration, highlighting the complex dynamics of Uganda’s international relations as officials face intensified scrutiny from Western powers.
