China’s President Xi Jinping wrote to President Yoweri Museveni hours after the United States condemned Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, following a ruling by the country’s apex court.
In a statement, Museveni said he received a letter from Jinping who expressed his support for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project.
“I welcome His Excellency’s support and invitation to the energy minister to visit China for further discussions with his government,” Museveni said.
Museveni further revealed that he hosted a delegation from the Chinese government led by the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Minister, Ambassador Xue Bing.
China to Build Railway & Invest in Uganda
The leaders discussed three crucial issues including strengthening bilateral ties, the upcoming Forum on Africa-China Cooperation (FOCAC), and a peace conference for the Horn of Africa.
Museveni welcomed China’s cooperation especially the construction of a railway to the coast with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) engineering brigade.
“I also urge the Chinese government to encourage their companies to invest in value addition at the source and import finished products from Africa to reduce dependency on exporting raw materials,” he said.
U.S Letter to Museveni
This came a day after U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken criticized Uganda for the harsh penalties against individuals found practicing and supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ).
The Anti-Homosexuality Act, which Museveni signed in 2023 in May 2023 imposed death penalty for “aggravated” homosexuality cases and a life in prison for gay sex.
It has attracted criticism from a section of the Western countries and LGBTQ community and advocates.
“The United States continues to be deeply concerned by reports of human rights abuses in Uganda, including against the LGBTQI+ community,” Blinken said.
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However, in a ruling on April 3, Constitutional Court of Uganda upheld the Act but nullified some sections found to be inconsistent with the country’s Constitution.
“The announcement that some provisions of the Anti-Homosexuality Act have been removed by the Constitutional Court is a small and insufficient step towards safeguarding human rights,” Blinken added.
Blinken maintained that the remaining provisions of the Act pose grave threats to the Ugandan people, especially LGBTQI Ugandans and their allies.
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He explained that the Act undermines public health, clamp down on civic space, damage Uganda’s international reputation, and harm efforts to increase foreign investment.
“Uganda should respect the human dignity of all and provide equal protection to all individuals under the law,” he said.
Previously, the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, UN Aids, and the Global Fund said they were deeply concerned about the harmful impact of the law.
