In September, the USA Department of State imposed sanctions on four Uganda Police Force (UPF) officers for their alleged involvement in serious human rights violations, including torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment; those designated are Bob Kagarura, former Wamala Regional Police Commander; Alex Mwine, former District Police Commander for Mityana; Elly Womanya, a former Senior Commissioner and Deputy Director of the UPF’s Criminal Investigations Division overseeing the Special Investigations Unit (SIU); and Hamdani Twesigye, then-Deputy Inspector of Police assigned to the SIU.
These sanctions mark a continued move by the USA, targeting high-ranking UPF officers as part of an accountability initiative aimed at addressing abuses within Uganda’s security forces. The officers under sanction include figures alleged to have orchestrated or condoned actions that directly violate international human rights standards.
This development places increased pressure on Uganda’s police force to review practices and oversight mechanisms, yet some officers appear resistant to internal directives designed to mitigate further international scrutiny.
According to US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller, these sanctions make Kagarura, Mwine, Womanya, Twesigye, and their immediate families ineligible for entry into the United States. Miller affirmed the credibility of allegations against these officers, which were corroborated by Ugandan civil court documents, civil society organisations, and independent journalists.
“The United States, by publicly designating these individuals, reaffirms its commitment to upholding human rights for all Ugandans and ensuring accountability for human rights violations,” Miller stated.
The sanctions stem from a high-profile case involving Mityana County MP Francis Zaake, whose arrest and alleged mistreatment drew national and international attention. Zaake was apprehended at his home in Mityana in 2020 for distributing food during the COVID-19 lockdown, allegedly in violation of Ministry of Health standard operating procedures.
Following his arrest, Zaake was held at Mityana police station before being transferred to the Police Special Investigations Directorate (SID) at Kireka, where he claims he experienced severe abuse. Zaake contends that during his detention, police officers conducted a search of his home without a warrant and that he endured physical abuse, including beatings, pepper spray, and verbal harassment directed at his ethnicity and political affiliations.
An officer noted that the fear induced by USA sanctions has grown within the police force. However, due to the structured chain of command, declining deployment orders is rarely an option. “Like the military, police operate on orders; you can’t decline a deployment. When a commander orders you to take action, you follow through. Refusing isn’t an option,” he said, underscoring the rigidity of the police structure.
These sanctions have cast a shadow over the force’s reputation, both internally and in the public eye.
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“The sanctions tarnish our image as an institution and in the eyes of the public. We are often perceived as rogue armed individuals who disregard human rights,” the officer added.
For many low- ranking officers, the sanctions have complicated their roles, often making them bear the brunt of public criticism despite acting on orders.
“It’s clear we are following directives, but we’re the ones who end up facing the consequences,” he said.
In response to recent USA sanctions imposed on Ugandan police officers, police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma stated that the Ugandan police institution has Maj Gen Tumusiime Katsigazi opted not to formally respond, citing the absence of direct communication from the USA government.
