As of today it is a criminal offence to attempt to “influence a person’s decision to access or provide abortion services within 150 metres of a clinic” in England and Wales. Such “influence” could include silent prayer according to the government’s new draconian rules.

“Protection zones around abortion clinics are now in force”, states a post from the UK Home Office on social media platform X.

“We are safeguarding women from any form of intimidation or harassment.”

Protection zones around abortion clinics are now in force. It is a criminal offence to attempt to influence a person’s decision to access or provide abortion services within 150 metres of a clinic. We are safeguarding women from any form of intimidation or harassment.

The new law has been called a “national disgrace”, by Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, speaking on behalf of March for Life UK, the pro-life organisation that strives to help and protect vulnerable women and the unborn, and who herself has been repeatedly arrested and prosecuted for praying silently outside abortion clinics.

“This is a shameful day for our country,” Vaughan-Spruce says, before noting that so-called buffer zones around facilities providing abortion services have been legalised with “unlimited fine risks for those caught breaking the obscure rules” set out by the government.

She notes that annually in the UK there are about 250,000 abortions, while about 50 per cent of those are repeat abortions, and include abortions as a result of taking abortion pills that result in some women having to go to hospital due to complications.

“Yet people in our government are trying to criminalise those offering alternatives to pregnant women or even silently praying about this issue.”

The last Conservative government had informed police that silent prayer should be allowed inside the new “safe access zones”, following controversy and protests about Christians being arrested for what were in effect the first “thought crimes” to be penalised in the UK for centuries.

But the new Labour government ditched draft guidance by the Conservatives that would protect silent prayer. The changes mean that silent prayer will be banned in the zones, although it will be at the discretion of the police to determine whether it meets the threshold for prosecution.

The new law scrapped exemptions allowing “consensual” communication within the zones, such as handing out leaflets or activists engaging those arriving at an abortion clinic in conversation.

The new law states that it is illegal for anyone to do anything that “obstructs someone from using abortion services or causes harassment or distress to a clinic’s patient or employee”, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The scope of its application includes making it illegal for someone to “intentionally influence someone’s decision to use abortion services”, which would in effect outlaw offering help or advice or simply a kind word. By James Jeffrey, Catholic Herald

Former Independent and Electoral Boundary Commission chief executive James Oswago suffered a major setback on Wednesday when the High Court declined to quash his four-year jail term.

This is in relation to his involvement in a Kshs1.3 billion tender for supplying materials for the 2013 elections.

Justice Nixon Sifuna of the Milimani Anti-Corruption High Court upheld the sentences previously imposed on Oswago and former Deputy Commission Secretary Wilson Shollei. 

The court found that they failed to comply with procurement laws when acquiring electronic voter identification devices for the March 4, 2013 polls. 

Oswago and Shollei were fined Kshs 7.5 million for failure to comply with procurement laws. “I find the evidence put forth by the prosecution vividly demonstrated that the procurement of the voter identification kits violated the standards and procedures prescribed in the Procurement Disposal Act,” Sifuna stated.

As the accounting officer, Oswago was primarily responsible for ensuring the IEBC complied with procurement laws. The court emphasized that their actions undermined the integrity of the elections.

“The responsibility for this wrongdoing lies with someone, as this non-compliance constitutes an offence under sections 47 and 48 of the ACECA. The evidence clearly indicates that the capability and criminal culpability fall squarely on these appellants, who bear ultimate responsibility for their actions,” the judge ruled. 

Justice Sifuna found that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) adequately discharged its burden of proof, demonstrating the cases against Oswago and Shollei beyond reasonable doubt.

"I find no justification for disturbing the sentence; thus, this appeal has wholly failed and is dismissed," he ruled. 

Oswago took issue with the decision, saying the judge did not take account of the law, which he says provides for Sh1 million fine upon conviction. The former IEBC boss said he would move to the Court of Appeal for a review.

This verdict follows Oswago and Shollei's appeal of the trial court's December 2022 decision, which found them guilty of failing to comply with procurement laws regarding the polls equipment tender. 

They were accused of improperly using their offices to benefit Face Technologies Limited by approving a payment of Kshs 1,397,724,925.51 for ballot materials without verifying that they met the necessary technical specifications. 

While sentencing, Magistrate Felix Kombo noted that it was incumbent upon Oswago and Shollei to advise the commission on procurement matters, and any contract variations required approval from the tender committee. The court found that they failed to ensure the necessary changes were approved.

“The court has considered the challenges associated with elections. However, elections must be handled with care. Oswago and Shollei were not faithful to the procurement process, leading to a crisis,” the magistrate stated.

In his appeal, Oswago argued that the sentence was too harsh and excessive, urging the judge to quash the conviction and set aside the sentence. 

He claimed that the trial magistrate exceeded her mandate in imposing a fine of Kshs 5 million, plus an additional Kshs 2.5 million on the two counts, despite the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act providing for a maximum fine of one million. 

Oswago contended that the magistrate did not provide reasons for the excessive sentence, especially as he was a first offender.

Both Oswago and Shollei further argued that the trial court usurped the DPP's role by framing charges that favoured the prosecution's case. "The court played a prosecutorial role by framing charges that favoured the DPP case," Oswago told Justice Sifuna. By Nancy Gitonga, The Standard

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a disbursement of Sh78 billion (US$605 million) to assist Kenya in bolstering its fiscal and external buffers and enhancing resilience to climate-related shocks. 

This decision comes as part of the seventh and eighth reviews under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangements, alongside a review under the recently established Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

The EFF and ECF programs, originally approved in April 2021, aim to address Kenya’s debt vulnerabilities while ensuring adequate resources for essential social and developmental needs. 

The RSF, approved in July 2023, specifically targets climate challenges, seeking to catalyze private climate finance.

This funding follows the resolution of exceptional financing needs earlier this year, allowing for a shift in access limits under the EFF/ECF arrangements and reducing Kenya’s interest payments to the IMF.

IMF asserted that despite recent improvements, including shilling stabilization and reserve accumulation, the Kenyan government faces significant fiscal challenges mooted by tax revenue shortfall in the fiscal year 2023/24 and the withdrawal of the 2024 Finance Bill after public protests.

According to the IMF, these factors have hampered fiscal consolidation efforts. 

Nonetheless, the IMF acknowledged that the EFF/ECF program has contributed to reducing inflation and stabilizing the exchange rate.

IMF’s First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath highlighted the resilience of Kenya’s economy, which has maintained growth above the regional average.  

However, she also noted the need for a credible fiscal consolidation strategy to tackle debt vulnerabilities while safeguarding social spending.

“In this context,a difficult adjustment path lies ahead. A credible fiscal consolidation strategy remains central to addressing debt vulnerabilities while protecting social and development spending,” she said.

“Reforms to make the tax regime more efficient, equitable, and progressive as well as strengthening accountability, transparency, and efficiency of public finances will help garner political and societal support for reforms.”

President William Ruto’s administration has faced hurdles in rolling out its agenda following the deadly gen-z protests that saw him decline to sign into law the 2024 finance bill. By 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a disbursement of Sh78 billion (US$605 million) to assist Kenya in bolstering its fiscal and external buffers and enhancing resilience to climate-related shocks. 

This decision comes as part of the seventh and eighth reviews under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangements, alongside a review under the recently established Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

The EFF and ECF programs, originally approved in April 2021, aim to address Kenya’s debt vulnerabilities while ensuring adequate resources for essential social and developmental needs. 

The RSF, approved in July 2023, specifically targets climate challenges, seeking to catalyze private climate finance.

This funding follows the resolution of exceptional financing needs earlier this year, allowing for a shift in access limits under the EFF/ECF arrangements and reducing Kenya’s interest payments to the IMF.

IMF asserted that despite recent improvements, including shilling stabilization and reserve accumulation, the Kenyan government faces significant fiscal challenges mooted by tax revenue shortfall in the fiscal year 2023/24 and the withdrawal of the 2024 Finance Bill after public protests.

According to the IMF, these factors have hampered fiscal consolidation efforts. 

Nonetheless, the IMF acknowledged that the EFF/ECF program has contributed to reducing inflation and stabilizing the exchange rate.

IMF’s First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath highlighted the resilience of Kenya’s economy, which has maintained growth above the regional average. 

However, she also noted the need for a credible fiscal consolidation strategy to tackle debt vulnerabilities while safeguarding social spending.

“In this context,a difficult adjustment path lies ahead. A credible fiscal consolidation strategy remains central to addressing debt vulnerabilities while protecting social and development spending,” she said.

“Reforms to make the tax regime more efficient, equitable, and progressive as well as strengthening accountability, transparency, and efficiency of public finances will help garner political and societal support for reforms.”

President William Ruto’s administration has faced hurdles in rolling out its agenda following the deadly gen-z protests that saw him decline to sign into law the 2024 finance bill.  By PHIDEL KIZITO, Capital News

Ugandan police officers are reportedly defying official directives largely to avoid sanctions from the USA and European countries, The Observer has learned. 

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. 

These sanctions mark a significant 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. Among 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.

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.

BACKGROUND OF THE SANCTIONS

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. 

Additionally, he claims he was detained in ungazetted facilities. Although Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court ordered his unconditional release on April 27, 2020, Zaake was instead released on police bond two days later. Zaake subsequently filed a lawsuit in 2020 against the attorney general and the officers allegedly involved in his mistreatment, including the recently sanctioned Kagarura, Mwine, Womanya and Twesigye.

His complaint outlined that he was held incommunicado, subjected to torture, and detained without trial in multiple locations, including Mityana police station, Uganda Police Force’s Special Investigations Unit headquarters at Kireka, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence headquarters in Mbuya, and two hospitals.

Most of these sites, he claimed, are not officially designated detention centres. In August 2021, High court judge Esta Nambayo ruled that the physical harm inflicted on Zaake during his detention constituted a violation of his fundamental rights to dignity and freedom from torture and awarded him Shs 75 million in compensation.

BROADER IMPLICATIONS FOR UGANDA’S POLICE FORCE

The USA sanctions represent a significant diplomatic move, signalling a growing international focus on human rights practices within Uganda’s law enforcement agencies. The sanctions not only restrict travel for the designated officers and their families but also serve as a statement on accountability in cases of human rights violations.

The sanctions come amid broader concerns within Uganda about law enforcement practices, transparency, and the treatment of political dissidents and opposition figures. By sanctioning these officers, the United States and its allies underscore the potential for diplomatic repercussions when international human rights standards are not met. 

The move also aligns with global efforts to address human rights abuses and highlights ongoing challenges within Uganda’s judicial and law enforcement systems in upholding the rule of law and ensuring fair treatment for all citizens. The developments in the Zaake case, combined with the sanctions, may pressure Ugandan authorities to reassess police procedures, particularly regarding arrests, detention practices, and respect for citizens’ rights.

As Uganda’s political and legal landscape evolves, the international community’s response to such cases will likely continue to shape dialogue around human rights and accountability in the country.

IMPACT OF SANCTIONS ON UGANDA’S POLICE FORCE: INSIGHTS FROM THE FIELD

Sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries on Ugandan police officers have stirred a mixed response within the ranks of law enforcement, according to officers interviewed for this report. While the sanctions have underscored accountability for human rights violations, they have also contributed to frustration, diminished morale, and fear among police personnel. 

One officer reflected on the dual impact of the sanctions.

“I believe it has affected us both positively and negatively. The sanctioned commanders often express their frustration, blaming us for their blacklisting, even though we’re simply following orders. They claim these orders come from higher up,” the officer stated.

This sentiment reflects a prevailing tension between field officers, who face frontline accountability, and their commanders, who direct operations but often do not defend their subordinates when situations escalate. The sanctions have also led to increased caution among officers, as they are reminded of the potential repercussions of their actions.

“We were briefed about the recently sanctioned officers and reminded that our actions have consequences. Some leaders advise us to handle orders thoughtfully and avoid unnecessary confrontations,” the officer explained.

However, another source noted that senior officers frequently attribute the sanctions to the actions of field officers, whom they accuse of responding too aggressively under pressure.

“Our bosses often blame field officers, saying we act under stress and end up mistreating people. Since the USA. began imposing sanctions, there has been a noticeable decrease in human rights abuses during and after protests,” he observed.

This awareness of potential repercussions has contributed to a shift in the way officers approach protest crackdowns. During a recent demonstration against the speaker of parliament and the East Africa crude oil pipeline, officers were instructed to handle the situation carefully to protect the reputation of the police force.

According to an insider, “If you look closely, you’ll see there was no impunity or arrogance in the recent arrests. Officers have lost morale, and some even claim to be indisposed to avoid participation in actions that could lead to sanctions.”

Low morale has become a recurring theme among officers, especially within the Field Force Unit (FFU). An officer described the situation as a no-win scenario: “They give us orders and direct us to execute them. But if we don’t succeed, we face charges; if we follow them too aggressively, we’re reprimanded. So, what do they expect us to do?”

In an effort to address the mounting concerns among younger officers, the director of Counter-Terrorism recently held a career discussion, emphasising that accountability for human rights violations will continue, extending beyond those already sanctioned.

“We are serving the Republic of Uganda, not just the current government,” he told the officers. “A time will come when the government will change, but young officers will still be here. Many senior officers are already in the ‘red zone’ with tarnished reputations. They have little chance of serving beyond this government.”

The speech appeared to resonate deeply with the officers, who are increasingly aware of the long-term implications of their actions. “He told us the truth,” one officer recalled.

“If something were to happen now and the government changes, those in power won’t be there to protect us. We, the younger officers, will still be here, expected to serve the nation. Many of our seniors are already sanctioned and may not have careers beyond this administration.”

Another 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.

“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.

As sanctions continue to shape the dynamics within Uganda’s police force, the effects are felt at every level—from senior commanders to frontline officers. The unfolding consequences of these international pressures are reshaping attitudes within the force, fostering greater caution, and challenging the balance between executing orders and respecting human rights.

POLICE ADDRESS RECENT SANCTIONS AS LIST OF BLACKLISTED UGANDANS GROWS

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.

“When a foreign government has not communicated, and we can choose whether to respond or not,” Rusoke told The Observer, underscoring the institution’s stance of selective engagement with foreign sanctions.

EXPANSION OF THE USA SANCTIONS LIST IN UGANDA

The latest round of sanctions adds to an expanding roster of high-profile Ugandans who have been blacklisted by the United States over the years for alleged corruption, human rights abuses and other serious violations.

In 2018, former Foreign Affairs minister Sam Kutesa, who served as president of the UN General Assembly from 2014 to 2015, was implicated in a bribery scandal involving Chinese national Patrick Ho of the China Energy Fund Committee (CEFC). Kutesa was accused of accepting a $500,000 bribe from Ho to secure “business advantages” for the Chinese energy corporation.

Although Kutesa has denied any wrongdoing, his inclusion on the USA watchlist brought significant scrutiny to Uganda’s handling of high-level corruption. Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) General Kale Kayihura, a prominent figure in Uganda’s security sector, faced USA sanctions in 2019 for alleged involvement in corruption, human rights abuses, and bribery.

The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) accused Kayihura of leading a police force known for serious human rights abuses against Ugandan citizens. In a statement, Treasury under secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Sigal Mandelker stated, “We are targeting Uganda’s former police inspector general Kale Kayihura for using corruption and bribery to strengthen his political position, as units under his command committed serious human rights abuses.”

The sanctions extended to Kayihura’s immediate family, affecting their access to USA assets and travel. In December 2021, Major General Abel Kandiho, former head of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), was also sanctioned by OFAC. Kandiho was implicated alongside high-profile Iranian and Syrian officials in allegations of serious human rights abuses.

According to the Treasury Department, Kandiho’s tenure at CMI was marked by repressive measures targeting civilians, political dissidents, and peaceful protesters.

IMPLICATIONS FOR UGANDA’S INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION

These sanctions reflect an intensifying focus by the United States on Uganda’s human rights record, corruption and governance issues. By targeting senior officials in the police, intelligence, and political sectors, the USA has signalled its intention to hold Ugandan leaders accountable for actions perceived as undermining human rights and democratic principles.

As more Ugandans are added to international sanctions lists, the impact on Uganda’s international standing and diplomatic relations with Western nations may continue to grow. By GEOFREY SERUGO, The Observer