In a swift response, the United States has revoked the visas of Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament Anita Among following the stricter anti-gay Bill becoming law in Uganda.
On Monday the Speaker revealed that President Yoweri Museveni had signed the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, introducing tougher punishments and fines for financiers and promoters of homosexuality in Uganda.
Lawmaker Asuman Basalirwa addressing journalists in Kampala said “Anita Among is the first victim” of likely sanctions.
Uganda has resisted pressure from the US and the donor community, including threats to withdraw funding, especially in the health sector.
“As Parliament for Uganda, we have heeded the concerns of our people and legislated to protect the sanctity of the family, as per Article 31 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. We have stood strong to defend the culture, values, and aspirations of our people as per objectives 19 and 24 of our national objectives and directive principles of state policy,” Ms Among said.
Parliament had passed the Bill on March 22 and sent it to the President for assent, but Museveni returned it to the House days later unsigned on the grounds that the law should not criminalise the state of one having a homosexuality disposition but those who engage in and promote homosexuality.
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