Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The US Department of State has announced travel sanctions against four Ugandan police officers, accusing them of serious human rights violations, including torture and inhumane treatment.
Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the Department of State, revealed the names of the individuals facing these sanctions. They include Bob Kagarura, former Wamala Regional Police Commander, and Alex Mwine, former District Police Commander of Mitanya District.
Also listed are Elly Womanya, who held the position of Senior Commissioner and Deputy Director of the Uganda Police Force’s Criminal Investigations Division during the alleged violations, and Hamdani Twesigye, who served as Deputy Inspector of Police within the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
“As a result of today’s action, Kagarura, Mwine, Womanya, Twesigye and their immediate family members are generally ineligible for entry into the United States,” the statement said.
The sanctions are a response to alleged gross violations of human rights committed by these officers during their tenure.
The officers Kagarura, Mwine, Twesigye, and Womanya are accused of being involved in significant human rights violations, as highlighted by documentation from Ugandan civil court records, civil society groups, and independent journalists.
Some of the individuals subject to these sanctions have since retired from the police force or have been reassigned to different positions. The announcement did not specify the timeframe for when these alleged human rights abuses occurred.
These sanctions contribute to a broader trend of imposing restrictions on Ugandan government officials, including high-ranking members of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Uganda Prisons Service.
Many of these officials have faced visa bans for their alleged involvement in human rights violations, while others have encountered financial sanctions related to accusations of economic misconduct.
The sanctions list features notable figures such as former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura, Maj-Gen Abel Kanduho, who previously led the Chieftaincy of Military Police, and Johnson Byabashaija, the current Commissioner-General of the Uganda Prisons Service.
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In April and May of this year, both the UK and US imposed sanctions on various officials, including the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Anita Among, along with former and current Cabinet ministers. These actions stem from allegations of serious corruption and human rights abuses, particularly regarding the exploitation of vulnerable communities.
The US government states that by publicly naming these individuals, it reinforces its dedication to promoting human rights for all Ugandans and ensuring accountability for those who violate these rights.
These sanctions are implemented under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for 2024.
