The U.S. State Department has designated five current and former Ugandan officials for their alleged involvement in “significant corruption or gross violations of human rights,” making them effectively ineligible to enter the U.S.
In a statement, the department said the designation applied to Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, former minister of Karamoja Affairs Mary Goretti Kitutu, former Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu, Minister of State for Finance Amos Lugolobi and former Deputy Chief of the Ugandan Peoples´ Defence Forces Peter Elwelu.
According to the press statement released today by the spokesperson of the State department Mathew Miller, the Speaker Anita Among has been designated due her involvement in significant corruption tied to her leadership.
The press statement also notes that the Former Minister of Karamoja affairs Mary Gorreti Kitutu, former Minister of state for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu and the current Minister of State for Finance Hon. Amos Lugoloobi have been designated due to their involvement in significant corruption related to conduct that misused public resources and diverted materials from Uganda’s neediest communities. “All four officials abused their public positions for their personal benefit at the expense of Ugandans.” Said the department spokesperson in a press statement
In addition, the press statement disclosed that the former Deputy Chief of the Ugandan Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF),Peter Elwelu is being designated as well due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights. “Specifically, Peter Elwelu was involved, while commanding UPDF forces, in extrajudicial killings that were committed by members of the UPDF. As a result of these actions, the designated Ugandan officials are generally ineligible for entry into the United States.” Said the department spokesperson
The spokesperson in his press statement further noted that their department is also taking steps to impose visa restrictions on multiple other Ugandan officials for 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.” He said in his press statement
The statement also outlined that 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.
The press statement further notified that the public designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 (Div. F, P.L. 118-47).
The spokesperson of the US State department added and said that they’ve also designated Among’s spouse, Moses Magogo Hassim; Kitutu’s spouse, Michael George Kitutu; and Lugolobi’s spouse, Evelyne Nakimera. “They are also generally ineligible for entry into the United States. The additional steps to impose visa restrictions on multiple other Ugandan individuals are being taken under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act under the policy.” Said Miller in the press statement
