The Speaker of Uganda’s Rebecca Kadaga has asked the Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda to explain the recent United States of America sanctions against former Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura over accusations of corruption and abuse of human rights.
Kadaga’s directive followed a concern raised by Francis Mwijukye (Buhweju County) who wondered why Government is silent about Kayihura’s sanctions yet at the epitome of his career, President Yoweri Museveni praised his services, describing him as a good cadre.
“He served as IGP he did his best to maintain government in power and president even praised as good cadre. This good cadre has now been sanctioned by American Government, but Government is now quiet,” Mwijukye said.
He added: “Is this an indictment to Government? What about the image of the country and human rights record? I would like response from Government on this good cadre.”
Kadaga called on the Prime Minister to make a statement regarding Kayihura’s predicament, a directive David Bahati, State Minister for Planning committed to saying, “It is true we have received information, we are studying it, the Prime Minister will address parliament about that issue.”
Last week, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed visa restrictions and economic sanctions to Kayihura and his family over alleged corruption and human rights abuses with the North American country.
In a statement, US noted that it was in possession of credible information that Kayihura was involved in torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, through command responsibility of the Flying Squad, a specialized unit of the Uganda Police Force that reported directly to him.
According to the indictment, Flying Squad Unit members reportedly used sticks and rifle butts to abuse detainees at the infamous Nalufenya detention facility in Jinja.
The US Government further accused Kayihura of engaging in numerous acts of corruption including using bribery to strengthen his political position within the government of Uganda, 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.
Kayihura denied the accusations, saying he did most of his work with the US authorities especially the Federal Bureau of Investigations and taunted US of awarding him for his fight against terrorism, describing the allegations as concoctions.
