The UK government has imposed sanctions on the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among and two former minister, Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu over their roles in swindling iron sheets meant for the vulnerable in Karamoja.
The UK government said the sanctions stem from corruption charges of stealing from the poorest communities in Uganda in the first time the UK has used the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime on individuals involved in corruption in Uganda.
“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 Ugandan courts are rightly taking action to crack down on those politicians who seek to line their own pockets at their constituents’ expense,” said Deputy Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell.
“Today 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.”
The two former ministers are currently facing charges of corruption over the iron sheets saga.
The said iron sheets had been bought using part of the shs39.9billion supplementary budget which was meant for disarmament and community empowerment program in Karamoja.
These were to be given out to reformed youth warriors known as Karachunas and other vulnerable groups like the elderly and women in Karamoja sub-region.
The Office of the Prime Minister had identified MM Integrated Steel Mills Uganda Limited and M/S Roofings Group to supply pre-painted iron sheets and these were marked “Office of the Prime Minister.
Ahead of the launch of the program by President Museveni, 10,000 iron sheets were released from the OPM stores in Namanve and taken to Moroto but after the function, they were returned to Namanve from where they were shared amongst themselves by the ministers and other government officials.
According to the UK government, the two former ministers stole thousands of iron sheets used for roofing and infrastructure from a Ugandan government-funded project aimed at housing some of the most vulnerable communities in the region, providing them to prominent politicians and their families instead.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Anita Annet Among on the other side, benefited from the proceeds.
The sanction according to the UK government will see the assets of the three individuals frozen but also banned from travel to the UK.
President Museveni earlier this year dropped ministers Kitutu and Nandutu from his cabinet.
