MP Zaake Applauds U.S. Sanctions on Ugandan Police Officers Involved in Torture

Francis Zaake, a Member of Parliament and prominent opposition figure in Uganda, has expressed gratitude for the recent sanctions imposed by the United States on four senior members of the Uganda Police Force (UPF). The sanctions target Bob Kagarura, Elly Womanya, Alex Mwine, and Hamdani Twesigye for their involvement in gross human rights violations, including torture and inhumane treatment. The U.S. Department of State’s decision comes after credible reports documenting these officers’ roles in the abuse and torture of opposition members during and after Uganda’s 2021 election.

Zaake, who was a victim of brutal torture at the hands of the police, welcomed the move as a step toward justice. On social media, he expressed his frustration with Uganda’s legal system, stating, “I also commenced private criminal prosecutions against the four wild animals in police uniform, but the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] took over the prosecution and terminated it.” Zaake’s legal battle came after he was severely tortured in April 2020 while distributing food aid during the COVID-19 lockdown. Although the Ugandan High Court ruled in his favor, awarding him UGX 75 million in compensation for the abuse, the officers involved continued to serve in senior roles within the police force.

The four sanctioned officers held significant positions within the UPF at the time of these abuses:

• Bob Kagarura was Regional Police Commander (RPC) for the Wamala region.
• Alex Mwine served as District Police Commander (DPC) for Mityana.
• Elly Womanya was a Senior Commissioner of Police and head of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) under the Criminal Investigations Division (CID).
• Hamdani Twesigye was a Deputy Police Inspector assigned to the SIU, a unit notorious for its use of torture during interrogations.

The U.S. sanctions render these individuals, as well as their immediate family members, ineligible for entry into the United States. This decision was made under Section 7031(c) of the U.S. Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, which enables the U.S. government to target foreign officials involved in human rights abuses or corruption.

In addition to Zaake, other opposition leaders, including Bobi Wine, welcomed the sanctions. Wine praised the U.S. for taking decisive action in response to the Ugandan government’s continued shielding of officers implicated in torture and other abuses. “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,” Wine stated. He emphasized that while justice may come slowly, it will eventually be served.

The U.S. has previously imposed sanctions on Ugandan officials for human rights violations. In December 2021, Major General Abel Kandiho, former head of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), was sanctioned for overseeing abuses, including torture and sexual violence. More recently, in May 2024, the U.S. targeted Speaker Anita Among and former ministers Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu for their roles in corruption and human rights violations.

These actions signal the U.S. government’s continued commitment to holding Ugandan officials accountable for crimes against their own citizens. Zaake’s case, alongside numerous others, highlights the broader issue of impunity within Uganda’s security forces, where officers accused of gross violations often escape accountability through promotions and political protection. For Zaake and other victims of state brutality, the U.S. sanctions are a glimmer of hope in a long struggle for justice.

“The wheels of justice may come slowly, but they will eventually arrive,” Zaake declared, reflecting a renewed optimism for future accountability in Uganda.