U.S. Sanctions Ugandan Police Officials Over Human Rights Violations

In a decisive move to uphold human rights, the U.S. Department of State has sanctioned four members of the Uganda Police Force (UPF) due to their involvement in egregious human rights abuses, including torture and cruel treatment. The officials designated are Bob Kagarura, the former Wamala Regional Police Commander; Alex Mwine, the former District Police Commander for Mitanya District; Elly Womanya, a former Senior Commissioner and Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigations Division; and Hamdani Twesigye, a former Deputy Inspector of Police assigned to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

The sanctions render these individuals and their immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the United States. The U.S. government has based its decisions on credible reports from Ugandan civil court documents, civil society organizations, and independent journalists, which detail the serious human rights violations committed by these officials.

By taking this action, the U.S. is reinforcing its commitment to promoting accountability and advancing the human rights of all Ugandans. The sanctions are in line with Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024.