The Ugandan government has criticized the Western response to the nation's new anti-LGBTQ law, highlighting that threats of sanctions coming from its development partners are considered unacceptable blackmail.
The East African country's Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi commented on remarks made by some Western leaders, who condemned the law after its enactment. He stated that the legislation has been introduced in Uganda, for its people, for whom homosexuality is a contradiction of their values and culture.
"Though we appreciate the support we get from partners, they must remember 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," he told media.
The Anti-Homosexuality Act 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. Its enactment on Monday drew rebukes from Western governments, jeopardizing billions of dollars invested annually in the country in the form of foreign aid.
In particular, US President Joe Biden condemned Uganda's new act, warning of possible sanctions against the country. He called the enactment of the anti-LGBTQ law "a tragic violation" of human rights that poses a threat to "the prospects of critical economic growth for the entire country".
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, for his part, added that the government is going to consider visa restrictions against some Ugandan officials.
In response to the West's rebukes, Baryomunsi reiterated that the Ugandan government doesn't see homosexuality as a constitutional right, but as a deviation from normal.
"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 stressed.
According to Asuman Basalirwa, who introduced the bill to the parliament earlier in the year, the purpose of the law is to protect the culture, religious and family values of the Ugandan people "from acts that are likely to promote sexual promiscuity in this country".
Basalirwa said on Monday that the US has already revoked the visa of Uganda's Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, who announced the signing of the law, noting that she had become "the first victim" of likely US sanctions.
After the nation's anti-LGBTQ legislation was signed into law, the United Nations and the United States said in a joint statement that HIV-positive homosexuals in Uganda are now afraid to seek medical attention at hospitals. However, Uganda's Ministry of Health dismissed these claims, underlining that it has provided and will continue to provide care to everyone, without discrimination.