U.S President Joe Biden has issued a business advisory for American citizens investing in the East African country of Uganda.
The government stated that Uganda’s tight anti- LGBTQ laws possess a financial and reputational risk to its Citizens.
Consequently, the U.S. Departments of State, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Commerce, and the U.S. Agency for International Development issued the advisory.
As a result, the Biden administration warned its people not to invest in Uganda, whose President Yoweri Museveni maintains a hardline position on LGBTQ.
According to the statement, U.S investors could face financial and reputational risks in case they invested in Uganda.
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“The Advisory informs U.S. businesses, individuals, and other U.S. persons, including health services providers, members of academic institutions, and investors, of potential risks they may face if they are conducting, or contemplating to conduct, business in Uganda,” read the statement.
On the other hand, the advisory cited that violence against Human Rights activists, LGBTQ members could similarly put business in the country at risk.
Additionally, Biden’s administration described Uganda’s political opponents’ mistreatment as a challenge to potential investors in the country.
“As well as violence against human rights activists, media members, health workers, members of minority groups, LGBTQI+ persons, and political opponents described in the 2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Uganda,” read part of the statement.
Uganda anti LGBTQ Law
In May 2023, President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law after parliament watered it down with only one lawmaker opposing it.
Worth noting, Uganda’s anti- LGBTQ laws is considered among the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world.
Also Read: Museveni Feels the Heat as the U.S Squeezes Ugandans Over LGBTQ
The legislation imposes the death penalty for so-called aggravated cases, which include having gay sex with someone below the age of eighteen or where someone is infected with a life-long illness including HIV.
U.S Visa Restriction to Uganda
Similarly, just after Uganda passed the Bill, in June, the U.S. State Department imposed visa restrictions on Uganda officials.
Additionally, the State Department updated its Uganda travel guidance for U.S. citizens.
Notably, the update highlighted the risk that LGBTQ persons could be prosecuted and subjected to life imprisonment, or the death penalty based on provisions in the law.
On the other hand, the World Bank affirmed its interests in helping the minority community in Uganda.
The body said it will aim to ensure gay and transgender Ugandans are not discriminated against in its programs before resuming new funding, which it halted in August.
