Bobi Wine Praises U.S. Sanctions on Uganda Police Officers Involved in Torture

Ugandan opposition leader and National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Bobi Wine, has expressed his delight over the United States’ decision to impose sanctions on four senior Uganda Police officers accused of human rights abuses, including torture. The officers in question are Bob Kagarura, Elly Womanya, Alex Mwine, and Hamdani Twesigye, who have all been implicated in severe human rights violations.

“We are very delighted to receive news of fresh sanctions imposed by the United States of America on these four senior police officers, who have been involved in torture, cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment,” Bobi Wine said in a statement. He noted that the four officers would be remembered for their role in the gross torture of Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament Francis Zaake. Despite massive evidence against them, the Ugandan regime protected and promoted the officers.

Bobi Wine emphasized that the sanctions serve as a reminder that while justice may be delayed, it eventually prevails. He urged senior, mid-level, and junior security officers to take note of the fact that they will be held individually accountable for the crimes they commit against Ugandans.

The sanctions, issued by the U.S. Department of State, target Bob Kagarura (former Regional Police Commander for Wamala), Alex Mwine (former District Police Commander for Mityana), Elly Womanya (former Senior Commissioner and Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigations Division), and Hamdani Twesigye (former Deputy Inspector of Police assigned to the Special Investigations Unit). These individuals are now ineligible for entry into the United States, as are their immediate family members.

The U.S. action reaffirms its commitment to holding Ugandan officials accountable for human rights violations. “We are very thankful to the Government of the United States for continuously listening to the pleas of the people of Uganda about those who violate rights with impunity and remain untouchable by the captured institutions in Uganda,” Bobi Wine added.

The sanctions were made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, which allows the U.S. to take action against individuals involved in significant corruption or gross human rights abuses.

https://x.com/HEBobiwine/status/1841518521320091823