United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said Washington slapped sanctions on Ugandan officials over gross human rights abuses including the enactment of the anti-homosexuality law.
Officials Sanctioned
In May, the US Department of State imposed sanctions on five current and former Ugandan government officials. These officials are:
- Speaker of Parliament Anita Among
- Former Karamoja affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu
- Former state minister for Karamoja affairs Agnes Nandutu
- Finance state minister (planning) Amos Lugoloobi
- Former deputy chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu
The US Department of State also designated the spouses of these sanctioned individuals as generally ineligible for entry into the US.
Blinken’s Statement
“Where human rights abuses are carried out against LGBTQI+ persons, we hold the perpetrators accountable,” Blinken stated last Thursday.
This is the first time a high-ranking US government official has admitted that the recent sanctions against Ugandan officials were partly related to the law that criminalizes the promotion of homosexuality in Uganda.
Additional Sanctions in May 2024
In May 2024, the US barred Among and seven other Ugandan officials from entering the United States over what they termed “significant corruption and gross violations” of human rights.
Blinken explained, “We sanctioned Ugandan officials who were involved in gross human rights violations. We ended Uganda’s eligibility for beneficial trade status under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act until it repeals the legislation and addresses its human rights situation.”
Redirected US Assistance
He added, “When Uganda enacted its Anti-Homosexuality Act, we redirected US government assistance so that it doesn’t go to those carrying out this abusive policy, while at the same time increasing aid to Ugandan people who need it more than ever before in the LGBTQI+ community.”
Visa Cancellations
The US Mission had previously cancelled Among’s visa over the anti-gay law. Several MPs reported that they had also been blocked by the US Mission from travelling to the United States.
In response, Among expressed satisfaction that President Museveni had signed the Bill into law and affirmed Parliament’s commitment to protecting families, children’s rights, and Uganda’s values.
“We don’t regret passing this law.
My visa was cancelled; have I died? As long as you don’t cancel the visa to Bukedea and Buyende, I have my home. I will go there,” she remarked.
US Commitment to Uganda
Blinken emphasized that the United States remains “committed to partnering with the people of Uganda, as we’ve done for years with investments in improving healthcare and education, expanding economic opportunity, strengthening accountability, and the rule of law.”
He assured that Washington would ensure resources continue to uplift the Ugandan people rather than enable their repression.
Ugandan Government’s Response
However, Okello Oryem, the state minister for foreign affairs (International Affairs), criticized the US government’s actions as targeting Speaker Among.
“My belief is that this is an insult and undermines our judicial system,” Okello stated.
“The sanctions are unjust. They are punitive. They are bullish because they know that we cannot do anything against it. And it’s just deliberate to punish the Speaker for her role and leadership in fighting LGBTQ and homosexuality in Uganda.”
UK Sanctions
In April of this year, the United Kingdom also sanctioned Among and two former ministers, Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, over alleged corruption.
The UK Deputy Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, announced the sanctions against the Speaker and the two former ministers facing corruption charges.
Kitutu and Nandutu allegedly diverted iron sheets meant for a government-funded housing project for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja region to prominent politicians and their families.
Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act
In 2023, the Parliament of Uganda passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act following public outcry, media discussions, and harrowing stories of children and families suffering psychological trauma from forced recruitment into homosexual acts.
Activists and lobby groups challenged the law in the Constitutional Court, arguing that it violated the rights of the homosexual community.
The Constitutional Court upheld the provision for the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality, particularly if the act was performed against a child, a disabled person, a mentally ill person, an elderly person, or someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
