The political landscape in Uganda has been shaken by recent revelations and sanctions involving high-ranking officials. On April 30, the United Kingdom announced its first-ever corruption-related sanctions against Uganda, targeting Speaker Anita Among, alongside former ministers Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agness Nandutu. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes, stemming from allegations of corruption linked to a government-funded housing initiative meant to aid vulnerable communities in the mineral-rich Karamoja region. Kitutu and Nandutu are accused of stealing iron sheets from the project, and Among is alleged to have benefited from these stolen materials.
Museveni’s Response and Concerns.
In a May 2 letter that was made public on May 10, President Yoweri Museveni revealed that he had a brief meeting with the British High Commissioner to Uganda, Kate Airey OBE, just hours before the sanctions were announced. Museveni expressed his discontent, questioning the legality and appropriateness of the UK’s actions in what he considers an internal matter for Uganda. He emphasized that the alleged theft was discovered by Ugandan agencies and is currently being handled by Uganda’s courts, with the accused yet to be convicted. Museveni asked the Attorney-General for advice on the matter, asserting that external involvement in domestic affairs is problematic.
Museveni’s letter also revealed another layer of controversy: he was informed that Speaker Among owns property in the UK and maintains bank accounts there, used for wiring school fees to students in the UK. Museveni expressed his disapproval, questioning the moral and ideological implications of a Ugandan leader investing abroad when Uganda, an underdeveloped country, needs such investments.
Investigation into Among’s Assets.
Museveni requested the Inspector General of Government (IGG) and the Minister of Integrity to investigate whether Among had declared her overseas assets in her Leadership Code documents. He stressed that if Among had declared these properties, it would be crucial to verify how she acquired the funds to purchase them. If the answers to these questions are satisfactory, the remaining issue would be a matter of political and ideological judgment.
Among’s Defense and Claims.
During a plenary session on May 3, Speaker Among responded to the sanctions, asserting that they were a result of her opposition to homosexuality. She linked the sanctions to her role in the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which was signed into law by President Museveni. Among downplayed the impact of the sanctions, stating that she neither owns property in the UK nor has any desire to travel there. She emphasized her loyalty to Uganda and dismissed the accusations as baseless.
“I am told [that] I have so many assets in the UK and lots of accounts in the UK. Unfortunately, I have only been in the UK once. I don’t even have a pussycat in the UK. I have always said that I have a permanent passport to Bukedea and Buyende districts. I don’t need a visa to the UK. So, honorable members, you need to be very firm and fight for your position. Just imagine it is your kid who is being sodomized. I have interacted [with some officials] and we have gotten to know what the sanctions are about. At an appropriate time, the Head of State will also respond to it because it is an indictment on the Parliament of Uganda,” she declared.
Seeking Further Information.
President Museveni stated that the Ugandan Government would seek more information from the UK Government regarding Among’s alleged assets. He instructed the Attorney-General and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to advise on the appropriate steps to take in obtaining this information. Museveni also acknowledged that the issue of bank accounts might not be as serious if Among had legitimately earned the money used to support students studying abroad.
Nevertheless, The sanctions imposed by the UK against high-ranking Ugandan officials have ignited a complex debate about corruption, sovereignty, and the moral responsibilities of leaders. President Museveni’s response highlights his concerns about external interference in domestic matters and the implications of Ugandan leaders investing abroad. As investigations continue, the outcomes will likely have significant political and ideological repercussions within Uganda.