Following the adoption of the recent anti-gay law in Uganda, the United States has imposed visa restrictions on some of the country’s officials for “undermining the democratic process” in the East African country.
The U.S. State Department made the announcement in a statement on Friday, June 16.
The new law, which was adopted last month, p¥nishes homos£xuality, including with the d£ath penalty in some cases. The law also imposes a life sentence for same-s+x int£rcourse and a 20-year sentence for promotion of homos+xuality.
The legislation has been widely cond£mned by rights activists and others abroad, but it has wide support in Uganda, including among religious leaders and lawmakers.
According to the statement released on Friday, the U.S. will consider other possible actions “to promote accountability for Ugandan officials and other individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda, ab¥sing human rights, including those of LGBTQI+ persons, or engaging in corrupt practices.”
The State Department also updated its Uganda travel guidance for U.S. citizens to highlight the risk that LGBTQI+ persons could be prosecuted and subjected to life imprisonment or the d£ath penalty based on provisions in the law, it said.
“The United States strongly supports the Ugandan people and remains committed to advancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Uganda and globally,” the State Department said.
