The White House warned Uganda on Wednesday March 22 against potential ” consequences “ economic if the law against homosexuality, adopted by Parliament, comes into force.
“We should consider whether or not we should decide on the consequences, perhaps in economic terms, if this law is actually passed and comes into force”said John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council.
Heavy penalties for gay people
The implementation of this law is not yet certain – the text must be approved by the president – but Washington “watch this very closely”, insisted John Kirby. Financial consequences “would be really unfortunate, because a lot of the economic aid we provide is for health”, he added. Uganda’s parliament voted in a stormy session on Tuesday evening to pass a law providing for harsh penalties for people in same-sex relationships.
MEPs significantly amended the initial text which provided for up to 10 years in prison for anyone engaging in homosexual acts or claiming to be LGBTQ +, in a country where homosexuality was already illegal. The UN, the NGO Amnesty International, Washington and London have already asked Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to reject this law.