In response to Washington’s actions, President Museveni recently warned that “some of these actors in the Western World overestimate themselves and underestimate the freedom fighters of Africa”
The U.S. government has announced expanded visa restrictions against Ugandans suspected of ‘undermining the democratic process’ in the East African country.
This is the third raft of measures against Uganda following the 2021 elections and the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
“Today, I am announcing the expansion of the visa restriction policy to include current or former Ugandan officials or others who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda or for policies or actions aimed at repressing members of marginalised or vulnerable populations,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blonken early Tuesday morning.
“These groups include, but are not limited to, environmental activists, human rights defenders, journalists, LGBTQI+ persons, and civil society organisers. The immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions,” he added.
The American Government recently discouraged their companies from investing in Uganda and moved to remove Uganda from beneficiaries of Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) list.
The U.S. government did not mention the Ugandan individuals targeted by the visa restrictions.
However, senior Ugandan security officials have previously been denied visas to the U.S. for their alleged roles in human rights violations.
The restrictions mean targeted Ugandans will not be able to travel to the United States.
In May, 2023, a Ugandan lawmaker Asuman Basalirwa said the United States had cancelled the visa of Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.
Lawmakers said the Anti-Homosexuality Act is aimed at protecting African traditional marriage and culture.
The new law will see anyone engaging in acts of homosexuality facing 20 years in jail and a death penalty for any one engaging in aggravated homosexuality (homsexual acts with minors, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups of people).
The increased measures by Washington against Ugandan officials are likely to further undermine relations between the countries.
In response to Washington’s actions, President Museveni recently warned that “some of these actors in the Western World overestimate themselves and underestimate the freedom fighters of Africa.”
Museveni said, “on account of some of the freedom fighters making mistakes of philosophy, ideology and strategy, some of the foreign actors erroneously think that African Countries cannot move forward without their support.”
The President further said “these pressures from outside are joogo (dharau – looking down upon somebody, underrating somebody) towards the Africans and must be rejected. I am told that some of the Arab Countries have similar laws. Why don’t these actors put similar pressures on them?”
