Faridah N Kulumba
Africa-Press – Uganda. The President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni while delivering his 2023 Christmas message advised the Western Nations putting Uganda under pressure over an Anti-Homosexuality law to stop because it is not good for them. President Museveni said that African countries will prove their point that they do without foreign countries. He insisted that he is not bothered by the pressure from Western nations over his decision to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law, saying that while others may worry, he does not.
Norms and values
The government of Uganda maintains the recently enacted law that is meant to protect traditional African marriages and cultural values, but liberal Western countries argue that it violates the rights of sexual minority groups. Museveni said Uganda is standing strong, and will not give in to the desires of the West. According to President Museveni, Uganda standing their ground is an opportunity to clarify one point the country can stand on its own and some Ugandans are indigenous people. President Museveni’s statements reflect a determination to assert Uganda’s sovereignty despite external pressures, while the legal battle over the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act continues within the country’s judicial system.
Western nation’s pressure
On May 26, 2023, President Museveni assented to the bill imposing severe penalties, including death and life imprisonment, for individuals engaged in homosexual acts. In response to this decision, various Western powers, such as the United States and the European Union, threatened sanctions, fund withdrawal, and trade pact annulments because the law was discriminatory and contrary to international standards. The World Bank (WB) announced its decision to suspend new loans to Uganda due to concerns that the law contradicts the fundamental values upheld by the US-based lender. They also postponed a USD 90 million (£54m) loan that was meant to enhance the country’s health services. The United States also reacted by imposing sanctions on the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda Hon Anita Among travel to the U.S. by revoking her visa. The U.S. vowed to ban all Ugandans involved in human rights abuses against gay people from entering their country. Several European nations – including Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Sweden – also cut aid to Uganda to show their opposition to the law.
Recently the United States declared its intention to remove Uganda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade pact in January 2024. This decision stems from the US’ assessment that Uganda’s recent law undermines democratic processes. Additionally, the US also called for a court decision by January 1, 2024, regarding the law, which has faced criticism from other countries for being discriminatory, degrading, and inhumane, contradicting international laws ratified by Uganda. In October this year, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that he was planning to evict Gabon, Niger, Uganda, and the Central African Republic (CAR) from the AGOA trade program. President Biden explained that the expulsion of these African countries is due to their records on human rights abuse and the rule of law. At the beginning of this month, the United States (U.S) Department of State announced a visa restriction policy on Ugandans, particularly government officials for undermining democracy and for repression in Uganda. The U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. Anthony Blinken’s press statement that was issued on 4th December 2023, stated that this is an expansion of the 2021 similar restrictions targeting Ugandan officials who are believed to be behind the human rights violations and repression of marginalized groups in the country.
Warning
Museveni advised against external pressures, warning that such actions could damage the reputation of those applying pressure. He pledged to prove that African countries, including Uganda, can thrive independently. Additionally, Museveni addressed issues of terrorism, urging vigilance and announcing strengthened security measures following attacks by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in Kyegewa, resulting in casualties.
Survival against all odds
The Ugandan President emphasized the ability to stand independently, highlighting the country’s historical resilience and rich indigenous heritage lasting over 2000 years. He criticized leadership priorities, likening the situation to the war in Ukraine and Russia, where the focus on wheat instead of cassava and millet (richer in starch) was misplaced. Museveni noted that Uganda’s economy is growing steadily and this can be reflected in the inflation. Uganda’s inflation is one of the lowest in the whole world at 2.3 percent compared to America.
Factors that have contributed to low inflation
According to Museveni, his country’s inflation is the lowest in the world just because the government urged its citizens to start producing food. Records indicate that inflation in the USA as of November 2023 was at 3.1 percent as opposed to Uganda’s 2.3 percent. He credited this success to initiatives like the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), promoting food production and fostering self-reliance through ample raw materials. President Museveni’s administration is vowing to resist pressure from foreign countries and the donor community, including threats to withdraw funding, especially in the health sector saying that Uganda is a sovereign state.
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