United States of America has banned former Inspector General of Uganda Police from traveling to the country over various crimes against international law.
General Kale Kayihura, a powerful police boss who was dismissed by President Yoweri Museveni in 2018 under controversial circumstances, is accusing of violating human rights.
The US accused him of illegal detentions and torture targeting opposition supporters besides several deaths and police assault cases.
“As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of (Gen) Kayihura, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 per cent or more by him alone or with other designated persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.”
OFAC’s regulations also prohibit any US citizen or a person in the US from transacting on assets linked to Gen Kayihura, meaning he will not be able to remove those properties from within the jurisdiction of the US.
The directive means that the former powerful police force will also have most of his assets in the United States frozen, and thus cannot be accessed by him or family.
But the US says Mr Kayihura is also corrupt, “stealing funds intended for official Ugandan government business, and using another government employee to smuggle illicit goods, including drugs, gold, and wildlife out of Uganda.”
Currently, he's facing corruption charges at court martial and he's yet to be cleared. The move could vindicate Museveni's decision to sack him.
Opposition politician Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine of Kyadondo East welcomed the decision, warning that more senior officers could suffer the same fate.
"The US gov't just announced sanctions against Gen. Kale Kayihura, Uganda's former IGP," said Mr Wine.
"Kayihura presided over a violent & brutal police which committed so many atrocities on the people of Uganda. Good news to his victims! Strong message to those who occupy these offices today," he added.