Obama threatens to punish Uganda for anti-gay bill
President Barack Obama has warned Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni that enacting an anti-gay law will complicate Uganda’s relations with the US. In yet another instance of America’s blatant interference in other states’ internal affairs, the US president slammed Uganda’s anti-sexuality bill as a "step backward", making it clear bilateral ties could suffer considerably if the unwelcome bill was signed into law.
With a worried look on his face, a sure sign that he takes the problems of Ugandan gay rights activists close to heart, Obama sent Museveni a tough message that either he change his mind or face the consequences.
"We believe that people everywhere should be treated equally, with dignity and respect, and that they should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, no matter who they are or whom they love," Obama said in a statement.
Obama, a Democrat who has lobbied to expand rights for gay Americans and supports same-sex marriage, said he was deeply disappointed by Uganda's plans.
"That is why I am so deeply disappointed that Uganda will shortly enact legislation that would criminalize homosexuality," he said.
Under the proposed legislation, those convicted of homosexual acts could face life imprisonment. The law would also make it a crime not to report gay people. Promotion of homosexuality - even talking about it without condemning it - would also be punishable by a prison sentence.
Museveni said last week that he plans to sign the new legislation, which has alarmed LGBT rights activists as it prescribes life imprisonment for acts of "aggravated homosexuality."
It was unclear when Museveni will sign the bill. Ugandan lawmakers passed it in December and Museveni since has been under heavy pressure to enact it. The measure enjoys broad support among Christian clerics and lawmakers who say it is needed to deter Western homosexuals from "recruiting" Ugandan children.
Uganda already has legislation that prohibits gay sexual intercourse, but the proposed law sharply tightens restrictions - and covers lesbians for the first time.
The US is one of Uganda's largest foreign aid donors. What is more, in 2011, America sent troops to help the Ugandan military fight the rebel Lord's Resistance Army.
Desperate to protect the LGBT community at all costs, President Obama, who once referred to the proposed law as "odious", strongly indicated that Uganda would regret not heeding America’s advice.
US National Security Adviser Susan Rice said on Twitter that she spoke at length with the Ugandan President Museveni on Saturday night to convince him not to sign the bill.
Due to specific traditional beliefs, homosexuality is taboo in many African countries. It is illegal in 37 nations on the continent.
Voice of Russia, Reuters
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