US warns Uganda, designates 17 Gov't officials over human rights abuses

HUMAN RIGHTS | VIOLENCE |

The United States (US) on Thursday announced it had designated 17 Ugandan government officials and their immediate family members for their involvement in gross human rights violations.

The US secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the announcement as the world celebrated Human Rights Day that the US Government was committed to promoting accountability of human rights.

"As we mark Human Rights Day, I am designating 17 officials and their immediate family members for their involvement in gross human rights violations. We are committed to promoting accountability for violations of human rights, no matter where or when they occur," Pompeo noted.

He also observed that the United States is a longstanding partner of Uganda. "We expect our partners to live up to their obligations to hold free and fair elections. We are paying close attention to the actions of individuals who seek to impede the ongoing democratic process," Pompeo announced.

Even though he didn't mention names, Pompeo announcement comes a day after Eliot Engel, the chairperson of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, wrote to Pompeo demanding several Ugandan security officials be sanctioned for human rights violations and brutalizing Ugandans.

In his December 9th, 2020 Engel said, "I am writing to express concern regarding the alarming slide towards authoritarianism in Uganda in a major recipient of US Foreign aid and of the recipients of US Security assistance in Africa."

The Ugandan government was yet to respond to the matter.

However, in August this year, President Yoweri Museveni noted that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) would defeat opposition elements who he accused of seeking help from foreign backers who fear a strong Uganda.

Engel accused President Museveni's government of attacks on independent media, banning of political rally and concerts, the arrest, detention, and torture of individuals who dare to challenge the President or the ruling party, and a persistent lack of accountability for the arbitrary and extrajudicial killings and torture perpetrated by Uganda security forces.

Engel cited the arrest and killings in Kasese, the Special Forces raid on Parliament in September 2017, the arrest of Robert Kyagulanyi and Francis Zzake in Arua, and the recent arrest of Kyagulanyi who is now the National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential aspirant in Luuka which led to the death of 45 people during the protest.

"These violent incidents reflect a highly disturbing trajectory for the country, thus ensuring that the environment for general elections in January 2021 has been fundamentally tilted in favour of the incumbent who has been in power since 1986.

Therefore, I request that the Treasury Department and the State Department utilize the authority of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (Global Magnitsky Act) to designate individuals who may be responsible for violence in Uganda in recent years," Engel noted.

He cited Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, the Commander of Land Forces, Maj. Gen. James Birungi, Commander of the Special Forces Command, Maj. Gen. Don William Nabasa, former Commander of the Special Forces Command, Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho, the commandant of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Steven Sabiiti Muzeyi, the Deputy Inspector of General of Police, Frank Mwesigwa, Commissioner of Police, and Col. Chris Serunjogi Ddamulira, the Director of Crime Intelligence in the Uganda Police Force.

Engel, who is also the U.S. Representative for New York's 16th congressional district, demanded a plan to intensify the U.S. response to human rights abuses beyond rhetorical condemnations.

He also wants accountability for citizens who have been subjected to arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

Engel has called for the State Department to commence a review of all non-humanitarian assistance to Uganda; commit to providing robust support to human rights defenders and independent journalists and to building the capacity of civil society organizations, and coordinate with like-minded allies to issue a joint condemnation of violent repression.

"However, diplomatic rhetoric alone has had little impact on President Museveni's behaviour. Instead, he has further consolidated power while preventing the emergence of a viable democratic opposition," the letter reads.

He also requested that Secretary Pompeo provides the Committee with the following information in writing no later than January 9, 2021: "An overview of the U.S. government's engagement with the Government of Uganda, opposition political parties, and civil society organizations with respect to the 2021 elections, and how such engagement differs from previous elections; and An assessment of the impact that several years of violent repression and impunity for gross human rights abuses have had on the Ugandan political environment," Engel asks.

He also wants an assessment of the risks to U.S. interests in East and Central Africa of continuing to work by, with, and through an increasingly authoritarian partner who has exhibited no indications of a succession plan, and a plan to mitigate said risks over the next five years.