The Uganda Kingdom has applied sanctions to Ugandan politicians, including Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, for alleged embezzlement from Uganda's most impoverished communities. This marks the first time the UK has invoked the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime against individuals suspected of corruption in Uganda.
Britain has stated that these new sanctions are part of its ongoing campaign to combat severe corruption worldwide. Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell announced the sanctions targeting high-profile Ugandan politicians implicated in corruption, including the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, on April 30th.
The three individuals, two of whom previously served as ministers overseeing Uganda's poorest region, Karamoja, have been accused of corruption in Uganda's Anti-Corruption Court. They will face travel restrictions and asset freezes.
The two former ministers, Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, allegedly misappropriated thousands of iron sheets intended for roofing and infrastructure in a government-funded project for vulnerable communities. Instead, they allegedly distributed these materials to prominent politicians and their families. Speaker Anita Annet Among is alleged to have benefited from these actions.
Last year, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit uncovered that iron sheets designated for vulnerable individuals in Karamoja ended up in the possession of some ministers. Parliament's Committee on Presidential Affairs investigated the irregular distribution of these materials. Speaker Among later returned 500 iron sheets meant for the disarmament program in Karamoja.
Over 60% of Karamoja's population lives in poverty, facing the harsh impacts of drought and insecurity.
Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell condemned the actions of these individuals, describing their exploitation of aid meant for the needy as egregious corruption. He emphasized that corruption carries consequences and those responsible will be held accountable.
The sanctioned individuals include Anita Annet Among, Mary Goretti Kitutu, and Agnes Nandutu. These measures are part of the UK's broader efforts under the Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime, which has targeted individuals involved in serious corruption cases worldwide.
Since its inception in April 2021, the UK has imposed sanctions on 42 individuals and entities globally under this regime to combat corruption.
إرسال تعليق
Abusive or Prohibited content won't be published.