The United States has imposed sanctions on four senior officers of the Uganda Police Force (UPF) for their involvement in serious human rights abuses, including torture and degrading treatment. This announcement was made on October 3, 2024, and targets Bob Kagarura, Elly Womanya, Alex Mwine, and Hamdan Twesigye, all of whom have been implicated in multiple acts of abuse, with a notable case being the torture of Member of Parliament, Francis Zaake. The sanctions make these officers and their immediate family members ineligible for entry into the United States.
The leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, expressed his satisfaction with the sanctions. In a statement shared on social media, he welcomed the move, describing it as a long overdue step toward accountability for the violations committed by these officers. Bobi Wine also highlighted that despite substantial evidence against these individuals, the Ugandan government shielded them and even promoted them, allowing them to continue their roles with impunity. He emphasized that this is a reminder to security officers at all levels that they will be held individually accountable for their actions.
The United States Department of State confirmed that these sanctions are aimed at promoting accountability for the gross violations of human rights committed by these officers. According to a statement from the department, the designations of Kagarura, Mwine, Womanya, and Twesigye were based on credible reports from Ugandan civil court documents, civil society organizations, and independent journalists. The officers were involved in acts of torture, as well as other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatments.
The sanctions were imposed under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, which allows the U.S. government to take action against individuals involved in gross violations of human rights. The sanctions highlight the United States’ continued commitment to defending the rights of Ugandans and ensuring that those responsible for abuses face consequences for their actions.
These sanctions not only block the entry of the officers into the U.S. but also send a strong message to other security personnel involved in similar violations. Bobi Wine, in his statement, thanked the U.S. government for paying attention to the pleas of the Ugandan people and for taking action against those who abuse power with impunity. He stressed that justice, although slow, is inevitable, and those responsible for violating human rights will face repercussions, even if shielded by local authorities.
Table: Key Individuals Sanctioned
| Name | Position at the Time of Violations | Sanction Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Kagarura | Then-Wamala Regional Police Commander | Sanctioned for involvement in torture and inhumane treatment; barred from entry to the U.S. |
| Alex Mwine | Then-District Police Commander, Mitanya District | Sanctioned for human rights violations; barred from entry to the U.S. |
| Elly Womanya | Then-Senior Commissioner, Deputy Director of UPF’s Criminal Investigations | Implicated in gross violations of human rights; barred from entry to the U.S. |
| Hamdan Twesigye | Then-Deputy Inspector of Police, Special Investigations Unit | Sanctioned for cruel and inhumane treatment of Ugandans; barred from entry to the U.S. |
Bobi Wine claimed the sanctions serve as a reminder that international scrutiny remains vigilant, and efforts to protect human rights will continue despite local obstacles. The Ugandan government was yet to comment on the matter by press time.
