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The
law, considered one of the harshest in the world, was enacted in
May and carries the death penalty for "aggravated
homosexuality," an offence that includes transmitting HIV
through gay sex. It drew immediate rebukes from Western
governments and put in jeopardy some of the billions of dollars
in foreign aid the country receives each year.
U.S. President Joe Biden had threatened aid cuts and other
sanctions, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last
month the government would consider visa restrictions against
Ugandan officials.
The State Department statement on Friday did not mention any
names or even the number of officials that would be hit with the
visa restriction but said the U.S. would hold accountable those
who are responsible for abusing human rights in Uganda,
"including those of LGBTQI+ persons."
The State Department also updated its Uganda travel guidance for
U.S. citizens to highlight the risk that LGBTQI+ persons could
be prosecuted and subjected to life imprisonment or the death
penalty based on provisions in the law, it said.
"The United States strongly supports the Ugandan people and
remains committed to advancing respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in Uganda and globally," the State
Department said.
The law also imposes a life sentence for same-sex intercourse
and a 20-year sentence for promotion of homosexuality.
Firms including media and non-governmental organizations that
knowingly promote LGBTQ activity will also incur harsh fines,
the law says.
Homosexuality was already illegal in the conservative and highly
religious East African country, and homosexuals faced ostracism
and harassment by security forces.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Susan
Heavey and Bill Berkrot)
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