UK, US Sanctions Cast Shadow Over Speaker Among's Tenure

The outgoing Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has been navigating the repercussions of sanctions imposed by both the United Kingdom and the United States. Initially dismissing the measures, Among found herself and other officials targeted under global anti-corruption and human rights regimes.

The UK was the first to act, imposing sanctions on Among, alongside former Minister for Karamoja Affairs Mary Gorreti Kitutu and her deputy Agnes Nandutu. These sanctions, under the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime, accused the officials of benefiting from stolen iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in Karamoja.

Despite Speaker Among’s initial jibe that she possessed a “passport to Bukedea” and didn’t require a visa, the sanctions carried significant implications. Assets held in the UK by the sanctioned individuals could be frozen, and UK citizens or businesses were prohibited from dealing with them. Travel to the UK was also explicitly banned.

A month later, the US Department of State escalated the situation by designating Among and several other government and security officials. The US cited alleged involvement in significant corruption for Among and others, while security officials faced designations for gross human rights violations, undermining democracy, and illegal detentions.

The US stated that these officials “abused their public positions for their personal benefit at the expense of Ugandans.” Among’s spouse, Moses Magogo Hassim, along with the spouses of Kitutu and Minister of State for Finance Amos Lugolobi, were also made ineligible for entry into the United States.

In response to the sanctions, Ms. Among suggested they were politically motivated and linked to the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, rather than corruption. She asserted that she was prepared for further sanctions and expressed confidence in divine justice.

President Yoweri Museveni subsequently ordered an investigation into whether Speaker Among had declared any UK property or bank accounts, expressing concerns about Ugandan leaders acquiring assets abroad. The Inspector General of Government (IGG) confirmed an investigation was underway, though its findings have not been made public.

Source: https://www.monitor.ug/uganda/news/national/uk-us-sanctions-haunt-outgoing-speaker-among-5464904