Updated By Ronald Sserwadda

Britain said the new sanctions are part of the UK’s continued effort to crack down on serious corruption around the world.

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Ugandan politicians including the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among for reportedly “stealing from the poorest communities in Uganda.”

This is the first time the UK has used the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime on individuals suspected of being involved in corruption in Uganda.

Britain said the new sanctions are part of the UK’s continued effort to crack down on serious corruption around the world.

Deputy Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, has announced sanctions on high profile Ugandan politicians charged with corruption, and the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, today (30 April).

The three individuals, two of whom were previously ministers responsible for Uganda’s poorest region, Karamoja, and have been charged with corruption at Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court, will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes.

The two former ministers sanctioned – Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu – stole thousands of iron sheets used for roofing and infrastructure from a Ugandan government-funded project aimed at housing some of the most vulnerable communities in the region, providing them to prominent politicians and their families instead.

The Speaker of the Parliament, Anita Annet Among, benefited from the proceeds, according to the statement from UK.

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit last year revealed that iron sheets procured for the vulnerable persons in Karamoja ended up in the possession of some ministers.