The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Ugandan politicians including the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, over alleged corruption charges relating to iron sheets which were for the people of Karamoja.
In a statement published today on their website, UK Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell, announced sanctions on Anita Among alongside former ministers in charge of Karamoja Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nanduttu “for stealing from the poorest communities in Uganda.”
This is the first time the UK has used the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime on individuals involved in corruption in Uganda and according to Mitchell, the new sanctions which also include travel bans and asset freezes are part of the UK’s continued effort to crack down on serious corruption around the world.
“The two former ministers sanctioned – 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. The Speaker of the Parliament, Anita Annet Among, benefited from the proceeds.” The statement reads in part.
Mitchell’s statement says 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.
The two former ministers Kitutu and Nanduttu are still battling cases of corruption in courts of law but no charges were instituted against speaker Anita Among. The statement notes that the Ugandan courts are rightly taking action to crack down on politicians “who seek to line their own pockets at their constituents’ expense.”
“Today the UK is sending a clear message to those who think benefiting at the expense of others is acceptable. Corruption has consequences and you will be held responsible.” It adds.
However, the spokesperson of parliament Mr. Chris Obore rubbished the UK sanctions saying that the sanctions against the speaker were not about corruption but linked to British anger over an anti-homosexuality law passed in Uganda.
“Uganda has regulatory, investigatory and disciplinary institutions that deal with corruption and none of them has found the Speaker culpable, therefore; the corruption allegations are, as political and vendetta-driven, as they come,” Obore said.
“The iron sheets have been used as a ruse to conceal the real, unstated but clearly obvious reason for the sanctions -which is Rt. Hon speaker’s stance on the recently enacted Anti-homosexuality Act” he stated.
These measures follow previous UK sanctions under the Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime, which has targeted individuals involved in serious corruption cases across the world, including 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.
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 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).
Under the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regulations 2021, individuals and entities anywhere in the world can be sanctioned for their involvement in bribery or misappropriation of property involving a foreign public official.
This could include those who facilitate, profit from or try to cover up serious corruption, as well as making efforts to prevent authorities from carrying out justice for these actions.
However, UK Aid was not involved in the Ugandan Government project to support the vulnerable people of Karamoja.
