Uganda has demanded that Britain refrain from interfering in its internal affairs after London imposed sanctions on three high-ranking Ugandan officials over alleged corruption.
Following Britain’s announcement of sanctions against Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and two lawmakers, Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, Uganda’s parliament issued a statement late Tuesday urging Britain to uphold the country’s sovereignty.
The parliament emphasized the importance of foreign partners, including Britain, respecting Uganda’s sovereignty and refraining from meddling in local politics, particularly in attempts to influence decision-makers to align with their values, notably regarding issues such as homosexuality.
The British government’s decision to sanction Kitutu and Nandutu, who are facing corruption charges in Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court for allegedly misappropriating iron sheets meant for the impoverished northeastern region of Karamoja, was criticized by Uganda’s parliament. It accused Britain of distorting facts to suit its political agenda.
According to the statement, the parliament suggested that the allegations of corruption were a pretext to target the Ugandan officials due to their support for the recently enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act. Last year, Uganda passed a law prescribing severe penalties, including life imprisonment and even death sentences, for certain homosexual acts, drawing condemnation from several Western countries, including Britain.