The government of the United States of America has updated its travel advisory for Uganda following the recently enacted anti-LGBTQI+ law.
In a statement, the US advised its citizens to reconsider travelling to Uganda due to crime, terrorism, and anti-LGBTQI+ legislation.
“Anti-Homosexuality Act raises the risk that LGBTQI+ persons, and those perceived to be LGBTQI+, could be prosecuted and subjected to life imprisonment or death based on provisions in the law, and may be subject to mandatory reporting to the police if they are suspected of committing or intending to commit the acts,” the statement read.
It has also advised the supporters of the dignity and human rights of LGBTQI+ persons to stay vigilant as they could be prosecuted and imprisoned for multi-year sentences.
“Some areas have increased risk.”
The updated advisory also states threat of terrorist attacks and violent crimes such as armed robbery, home invasion, and sexual assault, presents a serious threat to those visiting and residing in Uganda.
“Local police may lack appropriate resources to respond effectively to serious crime in most areas.”
In May, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed into law the anti-gay bill, which prescribes tougher penalties for ”aggravated homosexuality”.
The new law, one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world, makes homosexuality illegal with offenders set to face a 20-year jail sentence for promoting homosexuality.
Uganda now faces possible sanctions on financial aid from donors following the enactment of the bill with activists promoting LGBTQ expected to mount a legal challenge.
The US government had threatened that it would assess the implications of the new legislation for activities in Uganda under PEPFAR, its flagship HIV/AIDS programme.
The Ugandan government had come under international condemnation from the European Union, the United Nations and a coalition of international companies over the anti-LGBTQ regime push.
