Western powers have launched an investigation into allegations that bank executives in Kampala permitted President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s sanctioned government officials to access and utilize their financial services.

Sources from one of the top banks revealed that their chief executive has been summoned to the bank’s headquarters in the United Kingdom to provide a statement explaining how the incident occurred and why it was allowed.

Reportedly, a senior government official, upon learning of her impending sanctions, consulted her lawyers who advised her to immediately withdraw her money from the bank. This swift action circumvented the sanctions’ restrictions. Contrastingly, a close relative of former Inspector General of Police Gen. Edward Kale Kayihura was barred from opening a bank account due to his father’s sanctioned status, which prohibited the bank from engaging in any financial dealings with him.

State Minister for Lands Dr. Sam Mayanja recently disclosed that retired High Court Judge Moses Mukiibi informed him that he could no longer access his bank funds because of the sanctions. Mukiibi sought President Museveni’s intervention. However, the judiciary last week issued a statement confirming that Justice Mukiibi is receiving his retirement benefits as a retired judge.

Veteran journalist Joseph Tamale Mirundi clarified that Western powers typically allow sanctioned officials a six-month period to settle their affairs, including repatriating relatives. Conversely, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, the National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy spokesperson, asserted that sanctions take immediate effect, freezing all assets and accounts of the sanctioned individuals as soon as the sanctions are announced.

A high-ranking security officer corroborated Mufumbiro’s statement, recounting an incident where a sanctioned security chief posted to a neighboring country was unable to access his bank account. When his ATM card was confiscated by the machine, he called President Museveni, pleading to be withdrawn from his post.

The United Kingdom recently imposed sanctions on several Ugandan officials, including Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among, former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu, and former Senior Minister for Karamoja Affairs Mary Goretti Kitutu. Other sanctioned officials include Gen. Kayihura, Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho, Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeyi, Maj. Gen. Don Nabasa, and several members of parliament.

This investigation highlights the complex dynamics and enforcement challenges surrounding international sanctions and the lengths to which officials may go to circumvent them.

additional reporting by trumpet news