Summary:
- The four Officers are Bob Kagarura, former Wamala Regional Police Commander, Alex Mwine, former District Police Commander for Mitanya District, Elly Womanya, former Senior Commissioner and Deputy Director of the UPF’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and Hamdani Twesigye, former Deputy Inspector of Police assigned to the SIU.
NEWS: The United States Government has sanctioned four members of the Uganda Police Force (UPF) for their involvement in gross human rights violations, including torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
In a statement released on Tuesday by US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, the Department of State announced the designations, emphasizing the commitment to holding accountable those responsible for human rights abuses in Uganda.
The four Officers are Bob Kagarura, former Wamala Regional Police Commander, Alex Mwine, former District Police Commander for Mitanya District, Elly Womanya, former Senior Commissioner and Deputy Director of the UPF’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and Hamdani Twesigye, former Deputy Inspector of Police assigned to the 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 read.
The US Government’s decision is based on credible reports from Ugandan civil courts, civil society organizations, and independent journalists documenting the involvement of these officers in human rights violations.
“By publicly designating these individuals, the United States reaffirms its commitment to advancing the human rights of all Ugandans and promoting accountability for those responsible for these violations,” the statement added.
These designations were made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 (Div. F, P.L. 118-47).
Robert Kyagulanyi, President of the National Unity Platform (NUP), commonly known as Bobi Wine, welcomed the sanctions.
“We are very delighted to receive news of fresh sanctions imposed by the United States of America on four senior police officers involved in torture, cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment,” he said.
Kyagulanyi, in a statement shared via his X (formerly Twitter) account, highlighted the role of these officers in the torture of MP Francis Zaake, a case that was confirmed by the High Court. He criticized the Ugandan regime for promoting these individuals despite the overwhelming evidence against them.
“These sanctions are yet another reminder that justice, though delayed, will eventually come. They serve as a warning to senior, mid-level, and junior security officers that they will be held individually responsible for crimes committed against Ugandans. We are thankful to the US Government for consistently listening to the pleas of the Ugandan people and taking action against those who violate human rights with impunity,” Kyagulanyi added.
