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 DIPLOMACY 

Uganda's foreign affairs ministry on Friday spoke out on UK sanctions instituted earlier this week against the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, and two former ministers.

The United Kingdom's deputy foreign secretary, Andrew Mitchell, announced sanctions on April 30, citing corruption.

The sanctions on Among and former ministers Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu (Karamoja affairs) and Agnes Nandutu (state for Karamoja affairs) involve travel bans and asset freeze under the UK's global anti-corruption sanctions regime.

The sanctions were announced on the UK government’s official website.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among

Former Karamoja affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu

Former Karamoja affairs state minister Agnes Nandutu

Earlier on Friday evening (May 3), Kampala  issued a response published on the foreign affairs ministry website.  

In a public document, the foreign affairs ministry expressed readiness to talk to the UK government about the matter.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs looks forward to engaging officials at the British High Commission in Kampala  and the Government of the United Kingdom on this matter", said John Mulimba, the foreign affairs state minister in charge of regional affairs.

Foreign affairs state minister John Mulimba

Below is the Ugandan government's response in full:
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❝ STATEMENT ON THE SANCTIONING OF THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT OFUGANDA BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

Kampala, Wednesday, May 2,  2024

The Republic of Uganda is a stable democracy that enjoys cordial relations with the vast majority of states in the family of nations.

Our political landscape, since 1986, has continued to evolve in peace and stability bolstered by the faith of its people as the hallmark of the NRM Government. Our standing in the region and internationally has reflected the dividends of this peace and stability.

The Parliament of the Republic of Uganda reflects the legitimate voice and aspirations of the Ugandan people. It is with surprise, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda learnt of a statement issued on the official website of the United Kingdom Government on April 30, 2024, announcing the imposition of sanctions on ‘Ugandan politicians charged with corruption’. 

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.

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.

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.

Hon. John Mulimba,
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs/Regional Affairs