Summary:
- Bobi Wine welcomes recent U.S. sanctions on Ugandan officials, citing human rights abuses, while President Museveni dismisses them as irrelevant during year-end prayers.
Bobi Wine, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has publicly expressed satisfaction with the recent U.S. sanctions imposed on certain Ugandan government officials. The sanctions, an ongoing response to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023, included Uganda Prisons Boss Johnson Byabashaija, accused by the U.S. government of involvement in the torture of prisoners.
Byabashaija now joins a growing list of sanctioned officials, including Speaker Anita Among, who had earlier faced U.S. sanctions with visa cancellations.
Recently allowed to travel to the UK after a lifting of the ban, Bobi Wine welcomed the U.S. government’s decision in a social media post, stating, “We welcome the decision of the US Government to sanction Gen. Museveni’s officials, who have engaged in gross human rights violations, including torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.”
He expressed gratitude that the international community is hearing the concerns of Ugandans and sees the sanctions as a reminder that those who violate human rights will face consequences. Bobi Wine emphasized, “The travel restrictions, as well as sanctions under the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), are a good reminder that there will be consequences for those who abuse rights with impunity, especially now that Uganda’s institutions have been captured and are unable to hold them to account.”
In contrast, President Museveni, addressing year-end prayers at State House Nakasero over the weekend, dismissed concerns about the sanctions, stating that he is not intimidated and believes the U.S. government is wasting time.
