Uganda's medical authorities have dismissed claims by the UN and Washington that the African country, through its recently enacted anti-homosexuality legislation, is in any way conspiring to deny help to homosexuals with HIV/AIDS.
The Ministry of Health has provided and will continue to provide care to everyone, without discrimination, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, the head of the Ministry's public health affairs division, told local media.
"Healthcare is for everyone regardless of who you are. We even look after those who are on death row. Our work is a calling; it is not about feeling and interest," Kyabayinze said.
He also pointed out that the adopted law, contrary to American opinion, in no way affects the healthcare sphere.
“Americans are trying to frame it as if we are against certain groups. I don’t know why they are attaching the Anti-homosexuality Act to the Ministry of Health. It has nothing to do with health,” the official added.
Earlier, the US President Joe Biden condemned the law and threatened the country with sanctions.
The US and UN reaction followed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signing the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law on Monday.
The purpose of the bill, according to Asuman Basalirwa, who introduced it, is to safeguard the Ugandan people's culture, as well as their religious and family values "from acts that are likely to promote sexual promiscuity in this country."
The bill, regarded as one of the toughest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world, was ratified by Uganda's parliament earlier in May. It carries the death penalty for some violations, and "propaganda of homosexuality" is punishable by 20 years in prison.