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The United Kingdom’s Deputy Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, has today announced sanctions on high profile Ugandan politicians including Parliament Speaker Anita Among and two former Karamoja ministers- Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu over corruption.
A UK Government statement released today indicates that it is the first time the UK has used the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime on individuals involved in corruption in Uganda and the three officials will be subjected to travel bans and asset freezes.
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.
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).
The two former ministers sanctioned were previously responsible for Uganda’s poorest sub-region, Karamoja, and have been charged with corruption at Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court
“The two were involved in stealing 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,” a press statement from the UK Government reads in part.
The statement adds that the Speaker of Among also benefited from the proceeds.
Over 60% of people in Karamoja live in poverty and many suffer from the devastating impacts of drought and insecurity.
Deputy Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, said: “The actions of these individuals [politicians], in taking aid from those who need it most, and keeping the proceeds, is corruption at its worst and has no place in society.”
He added;- “The Ugandan courts are rightly taking action to crack down on those politicians who seek to line their own pockets at their constituents’ expense.”
Mr Mitchell noted that the UK has sent a clear message to “those who think benefiting at the expense of others is acceptable.”
Anita Among, has been the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda since 2022, while Mary Goretti Kitutu served as Minister for Karamoja Affairs between 2021 and 2024 and her counterpart, Agnes Nandutu was the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs between 2021 and 2024.
The sanctions 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.