The Ugandan Member of Parliament Sarah Achieng Opendi has been denied a visa to attend a UN meeting in New York next week following her strong advocacy of the anti-gay legislation, the media reported on Wednesday.
Opendi reportedly expressed "shock" upon learning that her application to attend the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women had been rejected by the US Embassy in Kampala, pending an "administrative" review.
Opendi reportedly expressed "shock" upon learning that her application to attend the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women had been rejected by the US Embassy in Kampala, pending an "administrative" review.
“96% of MPs voted in favor of the bill, and I am aware of a number of MPs that have gotten visas to the US, yet they supported the bill,” said Opendi, the chair of Uganda Women Parliamentary Association.
Earlier, Opendi called for castration of homosexuals during a parliamentary debate on anti-LGBT laws.
Following President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 in late May, which outlaws same-sex relationships and stipulates the death penalty for some crimes, including engaging in homosexual acts with a minor, Uganda has come under fire from Western nations and organizations: for example, the US has announced several rounds of visa restrictions on Ugandan officials involved in enforcing the country's anti-gay law.
Ugandan MP Asuman Basalirwa, who introduced the bill, told Sputnik Africa that the reason for the US sanctions and bans on officials involved in the bill is Washington's attempt to force the country to change its stance on homosexuality.
Last month, parliament of Ghana passed a bill criminalizing LGBT people. The bill must be signed by the president to take effect, which has not yet happened. Ghana's finance ministry reportedly warned this week that the country could lose $3.8 billion in foreign aid if it passes the bill.
* The "LGBT movement" is classified as extremist by the Russian authorities and is banned in Russia.