Pulse logo
Pulse Region

NUP Chicago Convention opens; Diaspora praised for triggering sanctions

The convection opened on Friday, in Chicago, Illinois and was attended by scores of party leaders and organisers living in the US
Bobi Wine arrived in Chicago on Friday
Bobi Wine arrived in Chicago on Friday

The convection opened on Friday, in Chicago, Illinois and was attended by scores of party leaders and organisers living in the US.

It was officially launched by Dr Lina Zedriga, the NUP Vice President, who in her brief remarks, commended the Ugandan diasporans for putting the event together.

She described the convention as one intended to re-energise the party to rethink the future of Uganda.

Uganda Sanctions

On his part, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi praised the Ugandans in diaspora for keeping the pressure on the Ugandan government.

He said it was through their efforts that the United States and the UK imposed crippling sanctions on the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and other key government leaders over corruption.

On the matter of advocacy, I want to appreciate you because there is work that you do that at times goes unnoticed,” Ssenyonyi said.

The sanctions that were imposed on our thieves back in Uganda, this is all because of the work that you are doing.

I know that we get a lot of acclaim for what we are doing on the ground but in truth, it does not matter that you are not on the ground with us. What you are doing here makes a big difference.

In May, the US imposed sanctions on Speaker Among, her husband Moses Magogo and several other officials over corruption and serious abuses of human rights.

Among was sanctioned "due to involvement in significant corruption tied to her leadership" of Uganda's national assembly, the U.S. State Department said.

Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, a former deputy chief of Uganda's military, was sanctioned over "extrajudicial killings" committed by government troops. Three former government ministers, recently implicated in the theft of roofing sheets that were not distributed to members of an impoverished community, were also sanctioned.

Earlier, the UK Government imposed similar sanctions on the officials on the same grounds.

Bobi Wine arrives in Chicago

Meanwhile, the NUP President Bobi Wine is expected to kick off the Chicago convention today, Saturday.

Bobi Wine arrived at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport last evening amid fanfare from supporters.

Next Article