Anti-Homosexuality Act: U.S.’ Biden Threatens Economic Sanctions Against Uganda

U.S. President Joe Biden has threatened to slap economic sanctions on Uganda, including reviewing Uganda’s eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) after the East African country enacted the Anti-Homosexuality Act.

“I have directed my National Security Council to evaluate the implications of this law on all aspects of U.S. engagement with Uganda, including our ability to safely deliver services under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other forms of assistance and investments,” said Biden.

“My Administration will also incorporate the impacts of the law into our review of Uganda’s eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA),” said Biden, adding, “And we are considering additional steps, including the application of sanctions and restriction of entry into the United States against anyone involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption.”

State House on Monday announced that President Museveni had assented to the Anti-Homosexuality, sparking a furious response from the international community.

AGOA provides Uganda with duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 6,000 products.

However, ChimpReports understands that one of the conditions for the U.S. to maintain AGOA was that Uganda had to continue importing second hand clothes (Mivumba) and footwear from the U.S.

If AGOA is scrapped, Uganda has the opportunity to ban the import of second hand clothes and encourage local manufacturing of clothes for the domestic, regional, and foreign markets.

Biden’s sanctions would hurt local manufacturers, not the political class, which enjoys big state salaries.

Lawmakers said the enactment of the law is meant to protect African traditional family values from being eroded by the promotion of homosexuality.

Biden said in a statement on Monday that the enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act was a” tragic violation of universal human rights—one that is not worthy of the Ugandan people, and one that jeopardizes the prospects of critical economic growth for the entire country.”

He added: “I join with people around the world—including many in Uganda—in calling for its immediate repeal. No one should have to live in constant fear for their life or being subjected to violence and discrimination. It is wrong.”

Interestingly, last year, at least a dozen states considered new legislation that, in several ways, will mirror Florida’s new law, referred to as “Don’t Say Gay.”

These include Alabama, Ohio, Texas, and Louisiana.

In March 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state’s “Parental Rights in Education” bill, barring public school teachers from holding classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grades “or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”

Alleged violence

In his statement, Biden also alleged that since the Anti-Homosexuality Act was introduced, reports of violence and discrimination targeting Ugandans who are or are perceived to be LGBTQI+ are on the rise.

He claimed that innocent Ugandans now fear going to hospitals, clinics, or other establishments to receive life-saving medical care lest they be targeted by hateful reprisals.

“Some have been evicted from their homes or fired from their jobs.  And the prospect of graver threats—including lengthy prison sentences, violence, abuse—threatens any number of Ugandans who want nothing more than to live their lives in safety and freedom,” said Biden, without providing evidence to back up his claims.

However, such incidents are very rare in Uganda, according to the police.

The U.S. leader said, “This shameful Act is the latest development in an alarming trend of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda.  The dangers posed by this democratic backsliding are a threat to everyone residing in Uganda, including U.S. government personnel, the staff of our implementing partners, tourists, members of the business community, and others.”

Biden did not explain how the law was a threat to the aforementioned people.

He, however, said U.S. programs have boosted economic growth and agricultural productivity, increased investments in Ugandan businesses, and strengthened U.S.-Uganda trade cooperation.

“In total, the U.S. Government invests nearly $1 billion annually in Uganda’s people, business, institutions, and military to advance our common agenda.  The scale of our commitments speaks to the value we place on this partnership—and our faith in the people of Uganda to build for themselves a better future. It is my sincere hope that we can continue to build on this progress, together, and strengthen protections for the human rights of people everywhere.”

ChimpReports understands that while the U.S. says it invests $1 billion annually in Uganda, the better part of these funds is given to U.S.-run institutions, U.S. companies which manufacture medicines and other supplies, or donor aid.

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