WASHINGTON, D.C. – The US government has imposed sanctions on General Peter Elwelu, former Deputy Chief of the Ugandan Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), for his involvement in gross violations of human rights, including extrajudicial killings in Kasese.
According to a statement released by the US Department of State, General Elwelu was involved in the extrajudicial killings committed by members of the UPDF while he was commanding forces in Kasese. As a result, he is now designated as a person who has been involved in gross violations of human rights, and is therefore ineligible for entry into the United States.
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The US government is also taking steps to impose visa restrictions on multiple other Ugandan officials who have been involved in undermining the democratic process and repressing members of marginalized or vulnerable populations in Uganda. These individuals are responsible for, or complicit in, the repression of Ugandan members of political opposition groups, civil society organizers, and vulnerable communities in Uganda.
The US government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting transparency in Uganda’s democratic processes, counter corruption globally, and addressing the broader culture of impunity that prevents all Ugandans from enjoying their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“The United States stands with Ugandans advocating for democratic principles, a government that delivers for all its citizens, and accountability for actions committed by those who abuse their position through corruption and gross violations of human rights,” said a spokesperson for the US Department of State. “Impunity allows corrupt officials to stay in power, slows the pace of development, facilitates crime, and causes unequal distribution of resources, which can affect underrepresented and underserved populations disproportionally.”
The sanctions are being imposed under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, and Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
