By Faridah N Kulumba
Africa-Press – Uganda. The United Kingdom’s government sanctioned the speaker of parliament of Uganda Anita Annet Among and two other former ministers who worked under President Yoweri Kguta Museveni for robbing the poor. On 30th April this year, the UK government’s Deputy Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell announced sanctions on Speaker Among and two lawmakers, Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, over corruption allegations. Kitutu was the Minister for Karamoja Affairs between 2021 and 2024 and Agnes Nandutu was the state Minister for Karamoja Affairs between 2021 and 2024. The three sanctioned lawmakers will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes under the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime.
The Iron Sheets saga
Kitutu and Nandutu, former ministers, have been charged with corruption in Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court for allegedly stealing iron sheets intended for the impoverished northeastern region of Karamoja. According to the charges Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu stole thousands of iron sheets used for roofing and infrastructure from a Ugandan government-funded project aimed at housing some of the most vulnerable communities in the region, providing them to prominent politicians and their families instead. It is claimed that among who has been Speaker since 2022 benefited from the proceeds. Over 60 percent of people in Karamoja live in poverty and many suffer from the devastating impacts of drought and insecurity.
UK’s Defense in meddling in Uganda’s affairs
Deputy Foreign Secretary Mitchell said the trio” taking aid from those who need it most and keeping the proceeds, is corruption at its worst and has no place in society. He said the Ugandan courts were on the right cause to rein in corruption by cracking down on politicians who seek to line their own pockets at the expense of people they are supposed to help out of poverty. The government of the UK said that they are sending a clear message to those who think benefiting at the expense of others is acceptable. Corruption has consequences and whoever participates in it will be held responsible. According to Britain’s statement, Kitutu and Nandutu had stolen thousands of iron sheets from a government-funded housing project aimed at helping vulnerable communities in Karamoja. Among had benefited from the proceeds of the theft. UK’s statement added that the actions of these individuals, in taking aid from those who need it most and keeping the proceeds, is corruption at its worst and has no place in society.
UK’s Global Anti-Corruption sanctions
The UK’s Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime has targeted individuals involved in serious corruption cases across the world, including offenders in Bulgaria, Lebanon, Moldova, Russia, South Africa, South Sudan, and Venezuela. Since its introduction in April 2021, the UK has introduced sanctions on 42 individuals and entities under this regime globally to combat corruption across the world. Under the punitive measures, an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person and which are held in the UK. It will also prevent funds or economic resources from being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person or entity. A travel ban means that the designated person is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, and must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom (any leave given to a person who is an excluded person is invalid).
Stop meddling in our affairs
Upon receiving the news of the UK’s sanctions on three of Uganda’s senior officials over allegations of corruption, Uganda reacted by asking Britain to stop meddling in the local politics of the East African country. The Ugandan parliament urged Britain to respect the country’s sovereignty. The statement issued by the parliament of Uganda said that it is important that foreign partners, including Britain, respect the sovereignty of Uganda and avoid the temptation to meddle in our local politics, including arm-twisting decision makers to align with their value system, especially homosexuality. In May last year, the Ugandan parliament passed a law prescribing life and death sentences for certain acts of homosexuality, a move strongly criticized by some Western countries, including Britain. The parliament accused the British government of distorting facts to suit its political agenda. “The iron sheets have been used as a ruse to conceal the real, unstated but clearly obvious reason for the sanctions — which is the Rt Hon Speaker’s stance on the recently enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act,” the statement said.
The UK sanction is politically motivated
The lawmakers argue that Britain did not act diplomatically by sanctioning the Speaker and the three former ministers based on the fact that the matter of the iron sheets scandal is still proceeding in court and that Speaker Among has never been charged.
Western nation’s rage over Anti-LGBTQ+ law
The Speaker Among presided over the passing of the anti-homosexual bill saying that the Parliament of Uganda heeded the concerns of the citizens and legislated to protect the sanctity of the family, as per Article 31 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. She added that the parliament stood strong to defend the culture, values, and aspirations of Ugandans as per objectives 19 and 24 of the country’s national objectives and directive principles of state policy. As soon as the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill was signed into law the United States reacted by first imposing sanctions on Hon Among travel to the U.S. by revoking her visas. The U.S. vowed to ban all Ugandans involved in human rights abuses against gay people from entering their country. In a written statement that was issued by IU. S National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said that the Department of State is taking measures to prevent entry into the United States by certain Ugandan officials involved in serious human rights abuses, including against LGBT individuals. The U.S. will also discontinue or redirect funds for certain programs involving the Ugandan Police Force, National Public Health Institute, and Ministry of Health, and has cancelled plans to conduct a US military-sponsored aviation exercise in the African nation. After President Museveni gave assent to the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which immediately became one of the strictest anti-LGBTQ+ laws the World Bank postponed a USD 90 million (£54m) loan that was meant to enhance the country’s health services. Several European nations – including Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Sweden – have cut aid to Uganda to show their opposition to the law.
Oppositions reactions to the UK sanctions
The president of the leading opposition party National Unity Platform Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine attributed the sanctions to his liberation campaign abroad saying that they will continue until those whose names presented to the Western government are also sanctioned. Bobi said that this is just a beginning the wheel of justice might grind slowly but surely. He added that the officials who steal from the poor think that they can enjoy their lives and their families in developed countries by stealing wealth from poor Ugandans and buying properties abroad.
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