The United States has placed visa restrictions on Ugandan government officials following the country’s passing of a heavily criticized anti-LGBTQ law, a move that has drawn condemnation from numerous countries and the United Nations.
The law, enacted in May, threatens the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”, an offence that includes HIV transmission through homosexual intercourse. It also prescribes a life imprisonment sentence for engaging in homosexual relations and a 20-year sentence for promoting homosexuality.
Furthermore, the legislation imposes severe penalties on businesses, including media outlets and NGOs that scientifically promote LGBTQ activities. This law’s implementation immediately sparked backlash from the West and put at risk the billions of dollars in foreign aid that Uganda receives annually.
Following the law’s passing, US President Joe Biden threatened to cut aid and impose other sanctions, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated last month that the government was considering visa restrictions against Ugandan officials.
On Friday, June 16, the State Department announced it had imposed visa restrictions, although it did not specify the names or number of officials affected by the visa limitations.
In the statement, the US affirmed it would hold accountable those violating human rights in Uganda, “including those against LGBTQI+ individuals”.
The State Department has also updated its travel advice to Uganda for American citizens to highlight the risk of individuals being arrested and subjected to life imprisonment or the death penalty under the law’s provisions.
“The United States must necessarily support the Ugandan people and remain committed to advancing the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Uganda and across the world,” stated the State Department.
Homosexuality was already illegal in this East African country, and gay people regularly faced ostracism and harassment from security forces, added the US department.
