US sanctions Uganda spy chief for human rights

By Hamza Kyeyune

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - The US sanctioned the head of Military Intelligence in the Uganda People's Defence Force, Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho, on Tuesday for alleged human rights violations, according to officials.

Uganda's military said it was notified about the sanctions.

The People's Defense Forces spokeswoman, Brig. Flavia Byekwaso, said the country is disappointed that the US could take make such a decision without due process.

Chairman of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel urged authorities in December 2020 to take immediate action to address the human rights situation in Uganda before general elections.

Longtime leader Yoweri Museveni was re-elected to a sixth term with 58.6% of the vote, after a violent election campaign that left more than 50 Ugandans dead. Hundreds are still languishing in jails.

During the campaign, security forces routinely broke up opposition rallies with tear gas, bullets and beat and detained participants.

Kandiho joins other security officers who are sanctioned, including former police chief Gen. Kale Kayihura, who was sanctioned by the US for gross violations of human rights when he was head of the Uganda Police Force (UPF).

He was banned from traveling to the US. His properties and bank accounts are frozen and close family members have been denied visas, among other restrictions.