US threatens sanctions on Uganda over anti-homosexuality Bill

The United States is considering slapping fresh economic sanctions on Uganda after Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 that would see anyone engaging in acts of homosexuality facing 20 years in jail and a death penalty for convicts of aggravated homosexuality. 

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on Wednesday said if the legislation was signed into law,  Washington would “have to take a look” at imposing economic sanctions on Uganda. 

Kirby further said enacting the controversial Bill would be “really unfortunate” since most U.S. aid is in the form of health assistance to combat HIV/AIDS.

In 2014, Washington imposed sanctions on Uganda after Parliament passed the previous Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009.

The Bill was assented to by the President in February 2014 and later annulled by the Constitutional Court in August 2014 on grounds of lack of quorum.

At the time, the Department of State blocked entry into the United States by certain Ugandan officials whom Washington said were involved in serious human rights abuses, including against LGBT individuals. 

The US further discontinued or redirected funds for certain programmes involving the Ugandan Police Force, National Public Health Institute and Ministry of Health, and canceled plans to conduct a US military-sponsored aviation exercise in Uganda.

Backlash 

The Anti-homosexuality Bill 2023 has since attracted backlash from the international community. 

However, Ugandan lawmakers say the provisions embedded in the Bill seek to protect the traditional family by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex and promotion of such acts.

The Bill also seeks to address the gaps of other laws in Uganda including the Penal Code Act, Cap 120, as well as supplement provisions of the Constitution by criminalizing same sex acts.

While considering the Bill, legislators agreed to a penalty of shs1 billion imposed on a legal entity convicted of promoting homosexuality and proposed a life sentence in prison for an individual convicted of committing the offence of homosexuality, whereas attempting to perform the act would attract a seven year prison term.

The Bill provides for a three year imprisonment for a child convicted of the act of homosexuality which is in line with section 94(1) (g) of the Children Act, Cap 120.

The United States did not specify which economic sanctions would possibly be imposed on Uganda.

Through the 13 U.S. government agencies that comprise the U.S. Mission in Uganda, the United States says it invests almost USD 1 billion (Shs 3.6 trillion) annually in Ugandan communities, largely through more than 100 implementing partners and civil society organizations, many based in Uganda and Ugandan-led, that deliver programs to every district in Uganda. 

“You may not always see our flag on large buildings or billboards, but as a result of the United States’ investment, millions of Ugandans are living healthy, learning better, earning more, and participating more fully in their communities,” said the outgoing U.S. Ambassador Natalie Brown at a recent press briefing.

She cited the 1.3 million HIV+ Ugandans receiving U.S.-funded ARV treatment, the United States donating more than 18 million COVID-19 vaccine doses – free of cost, and the more than 4,700 Ugandan professionals who have participated in U.S. government-supported exchange programs.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday the Anti-Homosexuality Act passed by the Ugandan Parliament would “undermine fundamental human rights of all Ugandans and could reverse gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS” and urged the Ugandan Government to “strongly reconsider the implementation of this legislation.”

The White House Press Secretary Jean Pierre yesterday told a press conference in Washington the U.S. had “grave concerns with the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill by the Parliament of Uganda and increasing violence targeting LGBTQI+ persons.”

She said if the Bill was signed into law and enacted, it would impinge upon universal human rights, jeopardize progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, deter tourism and investment in Uganda, and damage Uganda’s international reputation. 

“The bill is one of the most extreme anti-LGBTQI+ laws in the world,” said Pierre, adding, “Human rights are universal.  No one should be attacked, imprisoned, or killed simply because of who they are or whom they love.”

During the same press conference , Pierre was asked to comment on Florida Governor DeSantis’ decision to expand the rules that forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity.

She responded: “ It’s wrong.  It’s completely, utterly wrong.  And — and we’ve been very cry- — crystal clear about that, when it comes to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and other — other actions that this governor has taken in the state of Florida. But make no mistake: This is a part of a disturbing and dangerous trend that we’re seeing across the country of legislations that are anti-LGBTQI+, anti-trans, anti the community in a way that we have not seen in some time.”