The sanctions are aimed at the parliamentary speaker, Anita Among, and two former ministers from the Karamoja region. They are accused of pilfering thousands of iron sheets from a government housing initiative.

The United Kingdom implemented sanctions on three Ugandan lawmakers on Tuesday, alleging them of involvement in corruption. The individuals include parliament speaker Anita Among and two former ministers for the northeastern Karamoja region, Mary Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu. Kitutu and Nandutu stand accused of misappropriating thousands of iron sheets from a government-funded housing project meant for aiding vulnerable communities in the isolated Karamoja region, diverting them to politicians and their relatives.

Among, the parliamentary speaker, is purported to have benefited from the scheme, according to the UK. Britain's deputy foreign minister, Andrew Mitchell, stated in a release, "The UK is sending a clear message to those who think benefiting at the expense of others is acceptable. Corruption has consequences and you will be held responsible." He added, "The actions of these individuals, in taking aid from those who need it most, and keeping the proceeds, is corruption at its worst and has no place in society."

The UK stated that it has sanctioned 42 individuals and entities under its Global Anti-Corruption scheme since its establishment in 2021. This encompasses individuals and entities from Russia, South Sudan, and Venezuela. Kitutu and Nandutu have been charged with corruption in Uganda, and their cases are still pending before the courts.

However, a spokesperson for Uganda's parliament asserted that the sanctions against Among were in response to anti-homosexuality legislation passed in Uganda. "Uganda has regulatory, investigatory, and disciplinary institutions that deal with corruption, and none of them has found the speaker culpable. Therefore, the corruption allegations are as political and vendetta-driven as they come," parliament spokesperson Chris Obore told the Reuters news agency.