US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday that the United States government is contemplating visa restrictions and other measures against Ugandan officials and individuals involved in human rights abuses. This decision comes in response to the implementation of one of the world’s strictest anti-gay laws in Uganda.
Secretary Blinken expressed his concerns and stated that he has instructed the State Department to update travel guidance for US citizens and businesses regarding travel to Uganda. These measures follow President Joe Biden’s strong condemnation of the Ugandan legislation.
President Biden emphasised that the United States may impose sanctions and would evaluate the implications of the law ‘on all aspects of US engagement with Uganda.’ The signing of the anti-LGBTQ laws by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has drawn condemnation from Western countries and increased the risk of sanctions by aid donors.
In a statement, President Biden called the act ‘shameful’ and noted that it is part of a concerning pattern of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda. He directed the White House National Security Council to assess the impact of the law on all forms of US engagement with the country, including the safe delivery of services under the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and other types of assistance and investment.
Furthermore, President Biden highlighted that the US government will take into account the implications of the law as part of its review of Uganda’s eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act. This act provides duty-free access to goods from designated sub-Saharan African countries.
The President added, ‘And we are considering additional steps, including the application of sanctions and restriction of entry into the United States against anyone involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption.’
It is important to note that same-sex relations were already illegal in Uganda, as in more than 30 other African countries, but the new law goes even further, including the provision of the death penalty for ‘aggravated homosexuality.’
The United States is making a strong statement against Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law, reaffirming its commitment to protecting human rights and equality for all individuals. The potential visa restrictions and other measures demonstrate the gravity of the situation and the consequences that may be faced by those involved in human rights abuses.