Ugandan officials will soon be restricted from having United States of America visas after they implement the controversial anti-gay law.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said they will refuse visas to both current and former officials of Uganda and their families if they are found to be repressing the members of the marginalized or vulnerable group.
In a statement, Blinken encouraged the Ugandan government to uphold democracy and protect the rights of LGBTQ members for them to sustain the decade-long partnership they have had with the USA.
“I once again strongly encourage the government of Uganda to make concerted efforts to uphold democracy and to respect and protect human rights so that we may sustain the decades-long partnership between our countries that has benefited Americans and Ugandans alike.” He said in a statement.
Previously, US president Joe Biden and European Union and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized Uganda saying they had imposed a harsh law against homosexuality.
Those found to be practicing homosexuality according to the new law are prescribed the death penalty although Uganda has not carried out capital punishment for many years, unlike the United States.
Uganda president Yoweri Museveni has since then vowed not to bow to pressure from the international community over the Law.
The new visa policy does not name individuals publicly and is an expansion of restrictions to Uganda over alleged irregularity in their 2021 elections.
Separately Blinken also announced that the US will also have visa restrictions for those who undermined Zimbabwe elections in August this year where Emerson Mnangagwa was announced winner but the International observers said the elections fell short of democratic standards.
