The United State has deployed existing visa restrictions tools against Ugandan officials and other individuals for abuse of universal human rights, including the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons.
Secretary of State, Antony Blinken in a statement released made the announcement on Sunday through the context of the serious concerns conveyed by US President, Joe Biden over the passage of the Anti- Homosexuality Act in Uganda.
Blinken said that the United States is deeply troubled by Uganda’s passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, a law that undermines the human rights, prosperity, and welfare of all Ugandans.
According to him, “Uganda’s failure to safeguard the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons is part of a broader degradation of human rights protections.
“Which puts Ugandan citizens at risk and damages the country’s reputation as a destination for investment, development, tourism, and refugees”, the Secretary said.
Urging the Government of Uganda to refrain from implementing laws that undermine human rights, Blinken directed the Department to update the travel guidance to American citizens and to U.S. businesses.
He said, “In the context of the serious concerns conveyed by President Biden, I am announcing today that the Department of State will develop mechanisms to support the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in Uganda.
“And to promote accountability for Ugandan officials and other individuals responsible for, or complicit in, abusing their human rights”, Blinken added..
It was reported that Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni, has signed into law the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which allows the death penalty for homosexual acts.
The move immediately drew condemnation from many Ugandans as well as widespread international outrage. The UK govt said it was appalled by “deeply discriminatory bill, which it said will “damage Uganda’s international reputation”.
US President Biden decried the act as “shameful” and “tragic violation of universal human rights”. He said Washington was considering “sanctions and restriction of entry into the United States against anyone involved in serious human rights abuses” a suggestion that Ugandan officials may face repercussions.
Early on Monday, the speaker of the Ugandan parliament, Anita Annet Among, released a statement on social media confirming Museveni had assented to the law first passed by MPs in March.
It imposes the death penalty or life imprisonment for certain same-sex acts, up to 20 years in prison for “recruitment, promotion and funding” of same-sex “activities”, and anyone convicted of “attempted aggravated homosexuality” faces a 14-year sentence.