The Ugandan government formally criticized the United States’ amplification of visa restrictions targeting its officials. The government accused Washington of advancing an “LGBT agenda” within the African continent.
The visa restrictions unveiled on Monday specifically target unidentified officials deemed by the U.S. to be responsible for obstructing democracy and oppressing marginalized groups in Uganda, with a particular focus on the LGBTQ community.
In May, Uganda enacted one of the world’s most severe anti-gay laws, characterized by its draconian measures that include the imposition of the death penalty for certain same-sex acts. This legislation reflects a significant and controversial stance within the country’s legal framework concerning LGBTQ rights.
According to a report by rights groups in September, the implementation of the Ugandan law has resulted in a surge of abuse against LGBTQ individuals, primarily perpetrated by private individuals.
In June, the United States initiated an initial set of visa restrictions on Ugandan officials in response to the anti-gay law, while in August, the World Bank suspended new lending to the country.