KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The USA on Thursday imposed sanctions on Uganda’s parliamentary speaker, her husband and a number of other different officers over corruption and severe abuses of human rights.
Parliament Speaker Anita Amongst was once sanctioned “because of involvement in vital corruption tied to her management” of Uganda’s nationwide meeting, the U.S. State Division mentioned.
Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, a former deputy leader of Uganda’s army, was once sanctioned over “extrajudicial killings” dedicated by means of govt troops. 3 former govt ministers, lately implicated within the robbery of roofing sheets that weren’t dispensed to individuals of an impoverished group, had been additionally sanctioned.
Amongst, a senior member of Uganda’s ruling birthday party and an best friend of President Yoweri Museveni, has been below the highlight lately over the supply of her wealth in addition to allegations with regards to the misuse of parliamentary assets. The UK introduced sanctions in opposition to her ultimate month, mentioning corruption.
On the middle of an ongoing probe ordered by means of the president, is whether or not Amongst owns belongings within the U.Ok. that she didn’t claim to government.
The State Division observation mentioned the ones sanctioned are barred from getting into the U.S.
Amongst’s husband and lawmaker Moses Magogo was once additionally sanctioned. He has been president of the Ugandan football federation since 2013. The following males’s International Cup in 2026 is being co-hosted by means of america, with Canada and Mexico, and Magogo would had been be anticipated to wait the event.
Ugandans had been surprised by means of the revelations about Amongst’s spending. She has denied the allegations and has claimed she is the sufferer of a political witch hunt. She says she is being centered for her function in enacting an anti-gay invoice condemned by means of rights watchdogs and others.
Elwelu and the opposite sanctioned Ugandans weren’t right away to be had for remark. Elwelu seems to had been centered for his function because the commander of a 2016 army assault on a tribal king’s palace during which over 100 civilians had been killed.
Museveni, who has held energy in Uganda since 1986, has lengthy been accused of protecting corrupt however influential officers from legal prosecution. After his reelection to a 6th time period in 2021, he promised to crack down on corruption.
However many Ugandans don’t seem to be hopeful.
Native media shops often record on corruption problems, however activists, opposition figures and others who attempt to prepare side road protests face arrest below a regulation that calls for them to first notify police of any plans to rally.
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Related Press creator Graham Dunbar in Geneva contributed to this record.
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