WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday that the United States is weighing the possibility of imposing visa restrictions on Ugandan officials and others responsible for human rights abuses following the enactment of one of the world’s harshest anti-gay laws. The legislation signed by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni includes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” sparking widespread condemnation from the international community.
In response to these developments, Secretary Blinken has instructed the State Department to revise travel guidance for U.S. citizens and businesses considering trips to Uganda. This move aligns with President Joe Biden’s firm condemnation of the Ugandan legislation and his pledge to evaluate the broader implications of the law on various aspects of U.S. engagement with Uganda.
“The implementation of this shameful act represents a disturbing escalation of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda,” President Biden stated. To comprehensively assess the impact of the law, the White House National Security Council has been directed to evaluate all forms of U.S. involvement with Uganda, including the safe delivery of services under the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and other aid programs.
Furthermore, the U.S. government will factor in the repercussions of the anti-gay law in its evaluation of Uganda’s eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which grants duty-free access to goods from designated sub-Saharan African countries. President Biden emphasized that additional measures, such as the imposition of sanctions and restrictions on entry into the United States, are under consideration for individuals involved in severe human rights abuses or corruption.
While same-sex relations were already prohibited in Uganda, as in more than 30 other African nations, the new law represents an alarming intensification of discriminatory policies. The international community continues to closely monitor the situation in Uganda, urging respect for human rights and advocating for the protection of LGBTQ individuals.
As discussions on potential visa restrictions and broader implications unfold, the United States remains committed to promoting and defending the rights of the LGBTQ community worldwide, striving for inclusivity, and combating discrimination in all its forms.