The United States has issued a travel advisory against Uganda in response to the country’s recent adoption of anti-gay legislation.
The US State Department updated its warning, citing concerns over crime, terrorism, and the new anti-LGBTQI+ laws. The advisory, released on Monday, urges travelers to reconsider visiting Uganda due to the potential risks involved.
The Anti-Homosexuality Act, signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni on May 29, has sparked widespread outrage from human rights groups, LGBTQ activists, and Western powers.
The law imposes severe penalties, including life imprisonment and even death, for LGBTQI+ individuals or those perceived to be LGBTQI+. It is considered one of the world’s most stringent anti-gay laws, criminalizing “aggravated homosexuality” and consensual same-sex relations.
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The US State Department warns that LGBTQI+ individuals or those perceived as such could face harassment, imprisonment, blackmail, and violence.
The mere public identification as a member or supporter of the LGBTQI+ community could result in prosecution, while even private consensual same-sex relationships are deemed illegal.
In May, US President Joe Biden strongly condemned the legislation and called for its immediate repeal, threatening to cut aid and investment in Uganda. However, President Museveni dismissed international pressure and vowed to uphold the law, stating that Uganda would not be swayed.
The anti-gay legislation enjoys significant support in Uganda, particularly among conservative Christian groups, who view it as a necessary defense against perceived Western immorality.
