LONDON, United Kingdom, May 01, 2024 – The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on high-profile Ugandan politicians, including the Speaker of Parliament, following corruption charges. This marks the first time the UK has used the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime on individuals involved in corruption in Uganda.
Deputy Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, announced the sanctions yesterday (30 April). “The actions of these individuals, in taking aid from those who need it most, and keeping the proceeds, is corruption at its worst and has no place in society,” Mitchell said. “Today the UK is sending a clear message to those who think benefiting at the expense of others is acceptable. Corruption has consequences and you will be held responsible.”
The three individuals sanctioned are Anita Annet Among, who has been the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda since 2022, Mary Goretti Kitutu, who was the Minister for Karamoja Affairs between 2021 and 2024, and Agnes Nandutu, who was the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs between 2021 and 2024.
Kitutu and Nandutu were charged with 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. The stolen materials were provided to prominent politicians and their families instead. Among benefited from the proceeds.
The sanctions will result in travel bans and asset freezes for the three individuals. 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. A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom.
These measures 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.
The UK’s Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regulations 2021 allow for individuals and entities anywhere in the world to 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.
UK Aid was not involved in the Ugandan Government project from which the materials were stolen.
