“It’s not the UK or the US to fight corruption for us. As a government, we do fight corruption But also, we don`t act by impulse, because social media or the media has reported it. We investigate, we adduce evidence, and we take actions, so which evidence does the US government or the UK government have?
The United States said on Thursday it had imposed sanctions on Mrs Among, Minister of State for Finance Amos Lugoloobi, former Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Agness Nandutu, former Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Goretti Kitutu and to the former deputy chief of the Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Peter. Elwelu over allegations of involvement in significant corruption and serious human rights violations.
The United States also sanctioned Among’s spouse, Moses Magogo Hassim; Kitutu’s spouse, Michael George Kitutu; and Lugolobi’s wife, Evelyne Nakimera; They are also generally ineligible to enter the United States due to the actions of their spouses.
The US sanctions come weeks after the UK also imposed travel bans and asset freezes against Among, Kitutu and Nandutu.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi
However, Baryomunsi, who represents Kinkizi East in Parliament, believes the sanctions flow indirectly from the Anti-Homosexuality Law enacted by Uganda in May last year.
According to him, the US and UK governments were upset by the law, so they used corruption allegations to punish people involved in the process.
”We believe that the UK and the US are just using this as a cover, but the main reason behind this is most likely the law we passed on homosexuality that bothers them, but they are afraid to say it but then they use the idea of corruption. But we will handle all these accusations of internal corruption as a political party and as a government,” Baryomunsi said.
He said some of the officials listed in the sanctions are being prosecuted in court.
”The concerns we raise are the grounds and reasons given for the sanction. There is more than meets the eye because when it comes to people like former Karamoja ministers and Hon Lugoloobi, they are being prosecuted in court over iron sheet issues and the court is yet to deliver a verdict. How then do you come to say that we are imposing sanctions because these people are corrupt when the courts have not said so? In Uganda there is a presumption of innocence until one pleads guilty or is found guilty by a competent court.”
He added that the government is carrying out thorough investigations into the allegations through its different branches.
According to him, the sanctions will not affect relations between the Ugandan government, Britain and the United States.
“Our relations with these governments remain cordial, friendly and strong,” he said.
Several government officials, including President Museveni, have admitted in the past that corruption and impunity remain some of the biggest challenges to the NRM, which has been in power for almost four decades.
According to the Inspector General of the Government of Uganda, corruption is one of the main obstacles that undermines the socio-economic development of the country, with at least Sh1 million lost every hour due to this vice.