In response to the West's criticism of the country's new anti-LGBTQ law, Uganda claimed on Tuesday that donor threats of sanctions amounted to "blackmail." The president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, approved a law that made "aggravated homosexuality," which involves having gay sex with an HIV-positive person, punishable by death.
Its implementation, which was announced on Monday, drew immediate ire from Western nations and put a portion of the nation's annual billion-dollar inflow of foreign aid in jeopardy. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the government would consider imposing visa restrictions on Ugandan officials, while U.S. President Joe Biden threatened aid reductions and other consequences.
Josep Borrell, the head of foreign strategy for the EU, stated that the law would affect Uganda's relations with other countries. Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi dismissed the criticism and stated, "We do not consider homosexuality as a constitutional right. It is just a sexual deviation which we do not promote as Ugandans and Africans." He added,
"While we appreciate the support we get from partners, they must be reminded that we are a sovereign country and we do not legislate for the Western world. We legislate for our own people here in Uganda. So that kind of blackmail is not acceptable." Ugandan activists and lawyers filed a lawsuit against the law, arguing that it encourages discrimination and stigmatization and was passed without meaningful public participation.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed his expectation that the courts would agree in an interview with Reuters.
