Bobi Wine, the leader of Uganda’s largest political party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), recently took to X to celebrate the United States’ announcement of new sanctions against several Ugandan officials. The U.S. targeted these officials for engaging in serious corruption and human rights violations.
Wine highlighted that the sanctions were imposed on Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament, for her involvement in significant corruption. Alongside her, Amos Lugolobi, Agnes Nanduttu, and Mary Goret Kitutu were also sanctioned for their roles in the theft of Karamoja iron sheets and the diversion of these resources to the Speaker of Parliament and the Prime Minister.
In a significant move, the U.S. also sanctioned Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces. Elwelu was responsible for commanding the operation in Kasese in 2016, which resulted in the death of over 150 Ugandans.
Bobi Wine expressed gratitude towards the U.S. government for responding to the pleas of the oppressed Ugandan people. He emphasized that it has long been the call of the NUP and other opposition groups for the international community to recognize and act against the impunity of President Museveni’s regime. Wine hopes that more individuals and organizations responsible for the suffering in Uganda will face similar consequences.
He pointed out that this move sends a strong message to those committing gross human rights violations and plundering Uganda’s resources. While these individuals currently control institutions that should hold them accountable, the sanctions show that they are not beyond the reach of justice.
Wine concluded his message with a call to “Bring Back Our People,” referring to those detained illegally for over three years, and demanded the release of all political prisoners in Uganda.
