The U.S. State Department has imposed travel bans on Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and four other Ugandan officials due to their involvement in significant corruption and gross violations of human rights. The officials barred from entering the United States include Minister of State for Finance Amos Lugolobi, former Minister of Karamoja Affairs Mary Goretti Kitutu, former Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu, and former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Peter Elwelu.
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "Speaker of Parliament Anita Among is designated due to her involvement in significant corruption tied to her leadership of Uganda’s Parliament." The other officials, Kitutu, Nandutu, and Lugolobi, were sanctioned for their alleged participation in corruption that misused public resources and diverted materials from Uganda's most vulnerable communities. "All four officials abused their public positions for their personal benefit at the expense of Ugandans," Miller added.
Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu was specifically sanctioned for his involvement in gross violations of human rights. Miller elaborated, "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."
The Department is also considering visa restrictions for several other Ugandan officials accused of undermining the democratic process and repressing marginalized or vulnerable populations. These individuals allegedly played roles in the repression of political opposition groups, civil society organizers, and vulnerable communities in Uganda.
"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," Miller said.
He emphasized that impunity for corrupt officials hampers development, facilitates crime, and causes unequal resource distribution, which disproportionately affects underrepresented and underserved populations.
The sanctions, made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 (Div. E, P.L. 118-47), reaffirm the U.S. commitment to support transparency in Uganda's democratic processes, counter corruption globally, and address the culture of impunity that prevents all Ugandans from enjoying their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Additionally, the Department has sanctioned the spouses of the implicated officials: Moses Magogo Hassim (Among’s spouse), Michael George Kitutu (Kitutu’s spouse), and Evelyne Nakimera (Lugolobi’s spouse). They too are generally ineligible for entry into the United States.
The U.S. actions highlight a firm stance against corruption and human rights abuses, aligning with its broader goals of promoting democratic values and accountability worldwide.
