The United States has imposed visa restrictions on Ugandan officials in response to the East African country's adoption of an anti-LGBTQ law, the US State Department said.
According to the statement, the restrictions will affect officials of the country contributing to the undermining of the "democratic process in Uganda."
"The US government will continue to evaluate additional actions under this policy, as well as the use of other tools at our disposal, to promote accountability for Ugandan officials and other individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda, abusing human rights, including those of LGBTQI+ persons, or engaging in corrupt practices,” reads in part the State Department statement.
In addition, in response to the law, the US Department has updated its travel instructions for its citizens taking into account Uganda's severe punishment of homosexuals.
"The Department has also updated its travel guidance to US citizens to highlight the risk that LGBTQI+ persons, or those perceived to be LGBTQI+, could be prosecuted and subjected to life imprisonment or the death penalty based on provisions in the law," the statement noted.
The Anti-Homosexuality Act carries the death penalty for some violations, and "propaganda of homosexuality" is punishable by 20 years in prison.
US President Joe Biden had previously condemned the law and threatened aid cuts and other sanctions, while Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said last month that his government would consider imposing visa restrictions on Ugandan officials.
In response, Uganda's Minister of Information, Chris Baryomunsi, called the threats blackmail and said that the legislation was introduced in Uganda for its people, for whom homosexuality is against their values and culture.
Baryomunsi also reiterated that the Ugandan government regards homosexuality not as a constitutional right, but as an aberration from the norm.