UK Sanctions Speaker Among, Ex ministers, Kitutu, and Agnes Nandutu Over Corruption
April 30, 2024
The United Kingdom has levied sanctions on prominent Ugandan politicians accused of embezzling funds intended for vulnerable communities.
Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell announced the sanctions on high-profile individuals, including the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, in a bid to curb corruption and hold perpetrators accountable.
This marks the first time the UK government has invoked the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime against individuals involved in corruption in Uganda. The targeted politicians, two of whom previously held ministerial positions responsible for Uganda's impoverished Karamoja region, face travel bans and asset freezes.
Former ministers Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu stand accused of pilfering thousands of iron sheets allocated for roofing and infrastructure projects funded by the Ugandan government. Instead of aiding the region's most vulnerable, they allegedly diverted the resources to benefit influential politicians and their families. Speaker of the Parliament Anita Annet Among is alleged to have profited from the proceeds of this corruption.
The announcement comes amid staggering poverty levels in Karamoja, where over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, grappling with drought and insecurity.
Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell condemned the actions of the sanctioned individuals, labeling their conduct as "corruption at its worst" and affirming the UK's support for the Ugandan courts' efforts to combat corruption and hold accountable those who exploit their positions for personal gain.
The UK's use of the Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime underscores its commitment to combating corruption worldwide. Since its inception in April 2021, the regime has targeted 42 individuals and entities implicated in serious corruption cases across various countries, including Bulgaria, Lebanon, and Russia.
The sanctions entail asset freezes, preventing UK citizens and businesses from engaging in financial transactions with the designated individuals, and travel bans, prohibiting their entry or residence in the United Kingdom.