US to announce new measures against Uganda following introduction of anti-gay law

Jun 19 2014
Written by Joseph McCormick

The US will today announce new measures against Uganda, following the introduction of a new anti-gay law introduced earlier this year.

President Yoweri Museveni signed the draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill in front of politicians and reporters on Monday at State House, his official residence in Entebbe.The law calls for repeat offenders to be sentenced to 14 years in prison and makes it a criminal offence not to report someone for being gay.

US Secretary of State John Kerry in February announced that the country was reviewing its relations with Uganda, following President Yoweri Museveni’s decision to sign anti-gay legislation.

“This is a tragic day for Uganda and for all who care about the cause of human rights. Ultimately, the only answer is repeal of this law,” Kerry said in a statement.

The White House is expected to make an announcement later on Thursday, reports Reuters.

Politicians and campaigners around the world have strongly criticised President Museveni.

EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton described the move as “draconian”.

Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said it was “an abhorrent backwards step for human rights”.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was “deeply saddened and disappointed”.

The Chair of the Kaleidoscope Trust, Dr Purna Sen, said it was a “terrible blow to the struggle for human rights in Uganda”.