2 years, 5 months agoThe U.S. government has announced expanded visa restrictions against Ugandans suspected of ‘undermining the democratic process’ in the East African country.
This is the third raft of measures against Uganda following the 2021 elections and the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
“Today, I am announcing the expansion of the visa restriction policy to include current or former Ugandan officials or others who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda or for policies or actions aimed at repressing members of marginalised or vulnerable populations,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blonken early Tuesday morning.
“These groups include, but are not limited to, environmental activists, human rights defenders, journalists, LGBTQI+ persons, and civil society organisers. The immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions,” he added.
The American Government recently discouraged their companies from investing in Uganda and moved to remove Uganda from beneficiaries of Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) list.
The U.S. government did not mention the Ugandan individuals targeted by the visa restrictions.
However, senior Ugandan security officials have previously been denied visas to the U.S. for their alleged roles in human rights violations.
The restrictions mean targeted Ugandans will not be able to travel to the United States.
In May, 2023, a Ugandan lawmaker Asuman Basalirwa said the United States had cancelled the visa of Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.
Lawmakers said the Anti-Homosexuality Act is aimed at protecting African traditional marriage and culture.
The new law will see anyone engaging in acts of homosexuality facing 20 years in jail and a death penalty for any one engaging in aggravated homosexuality (homosexual acts with minors, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups of people).
The increased measures by Washington against Ugandan officials are likely to further undermine relations between the countries.
In response to Washington’s actions, President Museveni recently warned that “some of these actors in the Western World overestimate themselves and underestimate the freedom fighters of Africa.”
Museveni said, “on account of some of the freedom fighters making mistakes of philosophy, ideology and strategy, some of the foreign actors erroneously think that African Countries cannot move forward without their support.”
The President further said “these pressures from outside are joogo (dharau – looking down upon somebody, underrating somebody) towards the Africans and must be rejected. I am told that some of the Arab Countries have similar laws. Why don’t these actors put similar pressures on them?”
PEPFAR
The U.S. government had threatened to withdraw support of Ugandans living with HIV/AIDS.
Museveni said the “American Government avoided the mistake of defunding the procurement of the HIV drugs for our 1.4 million people on those drugs. However, all our People on the ARVs and all the Ugandans need to know that we had a contingency plan to fully fund the procurement of those drugs if ever the external funders were unable to fund them.”
Uganda has been a reliable partner for the United States in promoting stability in the Horn and East/Central Africa and in combating terror, particularly through its contribution to the African Union Mission in Somalia.
The U.S. regularly uses its extensive foreign aid as leverage to exert pressure on vulnerable African countries to achieve Wahsington’s interests.
The United States provides significant health and development assistance to Uganda, with a total assistance budget exceeding $950 million per year – but the better part of the funds goes to paying American expatriates deployed in Uganda and procuring medicines and equipment from the United States.
Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine on Homosexuality
The opposition Justice Forum party has demanded an apology from Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine after the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader told BBC in an interview that the Anti-homosexuality law targeted the opposition and that some NUP MPs were working with President Museveni.
JEEMA, whose President, Asuman Basalirwa spearheaded the Anti-Homosexuality legislation in Parliament, said Bobi’s statements were deeply concerning and demanded a retraction.“I am writing to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding the accusations you made against your colleagues, and members of Parliament from the opposition,” said JEEMA’s Secretary General, Mohamed Kateregga.
“While on BBC recently when you were asked about the Anti-homosexual law, in your response you stated that the law was brought by Mr Museveni to target you as an opposition leader, and went ahead to accuse your colleagues of working with Mr. Museveni,” he added.
“You are aware that the Anti-homosexual law was brought by Hon Asuman Basalirwa, the President of the Justice Forum and it was in line with what we believe in as Jeema. This law was overwhelmingly supported by the whole house, including NUP MPs; who risked their lives to protect our cultural and religious values. Your response, in which you accused these dedicated individuals of betrayal, have deeply troubled members who are seeking to see a change of leadership in our country.”
BBC Interview: Bobi Wine Cagey on Anti-Gay Law; says Some NUPs MPs are Working with Museveni
All NUP MPs backed the law.
During the plenary discussions, Bobi Wine did not publicly ask his MPs to oppose the legislation.
Bobi Wine appeared on BBC while in London after a ten-year visa ban over his anti-gay lyrics.
Bobi Wine had been excluded by the UK’s Home Office on the basis of his anti-gay lyrics he released in 2014, urging the public to “shoot all the battymen.”
Asked on BBC to make his position on LGBT clear to the world, Bobi said he had grown and transformed and that he wanted to be “known for a leader that is respectful and inclusive of everybody.”
He further alleged that Museveni deliberately sponsored the law – not in the interests of the people of Uganda – but to target opposition.
Asked why his NUP MPs voted in favour of the law in its entirety, Bobi Wine noted: “Sure, in my party, I have MPs that are working with Gen Museveni.”
He did not identify the MPs working with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The BCC host further asked whether he would repeal the Anti-Homosexuality Law if he became president of Uganda, Bobi Wine responded: “I would be very cautious because I know it was largely targeting the opposition, mainly myself.”
Bobi appears to be torn between two worlds – projecting an image of a liberal leader in the modern western societies where most of his donors are based and retaining political support among his largely conservative countrymen.
JEEMA said Bobi has “the right to support homosexuality, without demonising your fellow leaders who have treated you with respect since they came to know you. We call upon you to retract your accusations and demonstrate your commitment to fostering a culture of respect and cooperation with fellow leaders.”
JEEMA, whose President, Asuman Basalirwa spearheaded the Anti-Homosexuality legislation in Parliament, said Bobi’s statements were deeply concerning and demanded a retraction.You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
