UK sanctions Mabaati thieves, Speaker Among targeted
The United Kingdom government has imposed sanctions on Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among and two former ministers over allegations of embezzling iron sheets designated for the Karamoja region.
These sanctions, announced on Tuesday, mark the first instance of the UK government utilizing the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime to target individuals implicated in corruption in Uganda.
The measures encompass asset freezes and travel restrictions against the named individuals.
Deputy Foreign Secretary of the UK, Andrew Mitchell, disclosed the sanctions against Among and the ex-ministers Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, who were recently dismissed from their ministerial positions overseeing Karamoja.
This move aligns with the UK’s ongoing commitment to combat serious corruption worldwide, as emphasized in a statement from the foreign office.
These sanctions against Among follow previous penalties imposed by the United States in connection with her involvement in the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in 2023.
Allegations surfaced last year accusing government officials of misappropriating thousands of iron sheets intended for infrastructure projects in Karamoja, diverting them to influential politicians and their families instead. Among was purportedly among the beneficiaries, according to the UK government.
The initial list of individuals implicated in the corruption scandal included several high-ranking officials, highlighting the severity of the issue. Mitchell condemned such actions, emphasizing that corruption, particularly when it deprives vulnerable communities of aid, is reprehensible and warrants severe consequences.
Under the asset freeze, the sanctioned individuals are prohibited from accessing any funds or economic resources held in the UK, and UK citizens or businesses are barred from engaging in transactions with them. Additionally, their existing visas have been invalidated, and they are ineligible for visa issuance until further notice. These sanctions serve as a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated and those responsible will be held to account.
