The United States has imposed sanctions on Uganda’s parliamentary speaker, Anita Among, her husband, and several other officials due to corruption and human rights abuses. Among was sanctioned for her involvement in significant corruption tied to her leadership of Uganda’s national assembly. Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, a former deputy chief of Uganda’s military, was sanctioned over extrajudicial killings committed by government troops. Three former government ministers were also sanctioned for theft of roofing sheets meant for an impoverished community. Among, a senior member of Uganda’s ruling party, has been under scrutiny over her wealth and misuse of parliamentary resources, with the United Kingdom also imposing sanctions on her last month.
The sanctioned individuals are barred from entering the U.S., including Among’s husband, lawmaker Moses Magogo, who has been president of the Ugandan soccer federation since 2013. The sanctions come amidst an ongoing probe into Among’s alleged property ownership in the U.K., which she did not declare.
Ugandans have been shocked by Among’s spending habits, with accusations of corruption being denied as a political witch hunt. President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, has faced criticism for shielding corrupt officials. Despite promises to crack down on corruption after his reelection in 2021, many Ugandans remain skeptical. Local media frequently report on corruption issues, but activists and opposition figures organizing protests often face arrest under strict laws.
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