Speaker of Parliament Anita Among (PHOTO/Courtesy)
The UK government has slapped powerful sanctions on Anita Among, the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, and two other ministers, Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, for their involvement in corrupt activities that have stolen from vulnerable communities and undermined the rule of law.
This marks the first time the UK has used its Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime against individuals in Uganda, sending a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated.
Among, who has been Speaker since 2022, is accused of benefiting from the proceeds of corruption, including the theft of thousands of iron sheets meant for housing poor communities in the Karamoja region. This is not her first corruption scandal, as she has been linked to several other cases, including embezzlement of funds meant for healthcare services in rural Uganda, awarding government contracts to family members and close associates, and receiving bribes from foreign companies seeking to operate in Uganda.
Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, who served as Minister for Karamoja Affairs and State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, respectively, from 2021 to 2024, are also sanctioned for their roles in the corruption schemes. They are accused of stealing thousands of iron sheets meant for housing poor communities in the Karamoja region and providing them to prominent politicians and their families instead. Their actions have contributed to the suffering of the people in Karamoja, where over 60% of the population lives in poverty and faces devastating impacts of drought and insecurity.
The UK government has taken this action to hold them accountable for their role in these corruption schemes, which have devastated the lives of millions of Ugandans.
“The actions of Anita Among, Mary Goretti Kitutu, and Agnes Nandutu, in taking aid from those who need it most, and keeping the proceeds, is corruption at its worst and has no place in society,” said Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell. “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 sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes, preventing Anita Among, Mary Goretti Kitutu, and Agnes Nandutu from entering the UK or accessing any funds or economic resources held in the UK. This move is part of the UK’s continued effort to crack down on serious corruption worldwide.
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. It will also prevent funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person or entity. A travel ban means that the designated person is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, and must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom (any leave given to a person who is an excluded person is invalid). Under the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regulations 2021, individuals and entities anywhere in the world can 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.
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