By Spy Uganda
Kampala: The Ugandan government has expressed its intention to initiate negotiations with both the British High Commission in Uganda and the UK government regarding the recent sanctions imposed on the Speaker of Parliament, former ministers, Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu as baseless.
According to the statement signed by Hon.John Mulimba, the minister of state for foreign affairs in charge of regional affairs, the Ministry seeks clarification from the British Government regarding the rationale behind the sanctions, particularly against speaker Anita Among who has not been charged by the Director of Public Prosecutions in the cases mentioned.
”The third person mentioned in the Sanctions regime is Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among who is none other than the Right Honorable Speaker of Parliament of Uganda who has not been charged by the Director of Public Prosecutions in the above-mentioned cases. We therefore seek to find the rationale for actions taken by the British Government in this Sanctions designation,” reads part of the statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read Full Statement Below
The statement futher noted that while as Speaker Among has not been charged, the other two accused individuals have been investigated and their cases are being handled by Uganda’s courts of law.
”The case referred to under the UK’s Global Anti Corruptions Sanctions regime concerning two former Ministers Hon. Mary Goretti Kitutu and Hon. Agnes Nandutu, represents the first time that it is applied with respect to Uganda. It glosses over the fact that the two cases mentioned had been uncovered by the government’s own investigative Agencies and are currently being handled under the Ugandan Courts of Law. The two on the charge sheet, therefore, remain under the presumption of innocence until proven guilty” adds the statement.
The UK on April 30 imposed asset freezes and travel bans on Speaker Among and two former ministers for Karamoja Affairs, Kitutu and Nandutu over corruption allegations.
UK alleged that Kitutu and Nandutu had stolen thousands of iron sheets from a government-funded housing project aimed at helping vulnerable communities in Karamoja while Among had benefited from the proceeds of the theft, London’s statement added.
“The UK is sending a clear message to those who think benefiting at the expense of others is acceptable. Corruption has consequences and you will be held responsible,” Britain’s deputy foreign minister Andrew Mitchell said in a statement.
“The actions of these individuals, in taking aid from those who need it most, and keeping the proceeds, is corruption at its worst and has no place in society.” the statement added.
Read Also; UK Sanctions Speaker Among, Nandutu Kitutu & Over Corruption Allegations – TheSpy (spyuganda.com)
Following the development, Speaker Among dismissed the sanctions, describing them as “politically motivated” and a “witch-hunt” against her reputation for her significant role in passing the Anti-Homosexuality Act last year further noting that she is not threatened by such actions.
“I’m carrying a cross for 48 million Ugandans because of the Anti-Homosexuality Act we passed in 2023. ” I don’t have any properties in UK, not even a pussycat, go ahead and freeze them, and see if I will complain.” Speaker Among said.
While as, the government said it looks forward to engaging the British High Commission in Uganda and the government of the United Kingdom on the matter, it has also called for respect respect of Uganda’s sovereignty.
”The Ministry of Foreign Affairs looks forward to engaging with the British High Commission in Uganda and the Government of the United Kingdom, with whom we maintain cordial relations, on this matter while mindful that sovereignty remains a cardinal principle in the bilateral relations between two countries”, Foreign affairs ministry noted.
