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EU Backs US Sanctions On Ex-police Chief Gen Kayihura

The Head of the European Union Delegation to Uganda, Ambassador Attilio Pacifici has backed the US sanctions against the former Police Chief, Gen. Kale Kayihura.    

According to Pacifici, there is logic and principle in the visa and economic sanctions imposed against Kayihura, adding that even the EU would have acted the same if they had the evidence at the disposal of the US.

On Friday, the Trump administration set out two new rounds of sanctions against Kayihura for his alleged involvement in gross human rights violations. This was through the U.S’ Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.  

The Department said that it has 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.  

The Flying Squad Unit members reportedly used sticks and rifle butts to abuse detainees at the infamous Nalufenya Detention facility in Jinja. Detainees also reported that after being subjected to the abuse, they were offered significant sums of money if they confessed to their involvement in crime.  

Ambassador Attilio Pacifici

In addition, Kayihura allegedly engaged 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.  

Ambassador Pacifici says that even Uganda had itself slapped charges against Kayihura, which gives credence to the U.S sanctions.

has backed the US sanctions against the former Police Chief, Gen. Kale Kayihura.    

According to Pacifici, there is logic and principle in the visa and economic sanctions imposed against Kayihura, adding that even the EU would have acted the same if they had the evidence at the disposal of the US.

On Friday, the Trump administration set out two new rounds of sanctions against Kayihura for his alleged involvement in gross human rights violations. This was through the U.S’ Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.  

The Department said that it has 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.  

The Flying Squad Unit members reportedly used sticks and rifle butts to abuse detainees at the infamous Nalufenya Detention facility in Jinja. Detainees also reported that after being subjected to the abuse, they were offered significant sums of money if they confessed to their involvement in crime.  

In addition, Kayihura allegedly engaged 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.  

Ambassador Pacifici says that even Uganda had itself slapped charges against Kayihura, which gives credence to the U.S sanctions.

URN

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