In a series of posts on the X social network, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has downplayed the exclusion of his country from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), a U.S. program offering trade benefits to African states. In a letter to Congress, U.S. President Joe Biden accused the Ugandan government of human rights violations, a topic of heated criticism by human rights advocacy groups, the United Nations, and Western countries since the adoption of the “Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023” in May.
On November 4, 2023, a meeting of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) in South Africa concluded, attended by representatives from 35 African countries. Agoa is a law that provides certain trade advantages to eligible countries for the export of specific products to the United States.
Earlier in the week, Washington decided to exclude four countries from Agoa, including Uganda.
In a post published on X social network on November 5, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni displayed defiance, downplaying the significance of this trade program. According to the head of state, the benefits it offers are overrated.
Museveni contends that the United States overestimates its importance to his country. He stated on social media that Uganda can achieve its growth, with or without the support of Western nations.