WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) – The White House sharply
criticized Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday for
signing legislation that imposes harsh penalties for
homosexuality, calling it a step backward.
The new law strengthened existing punishments for anyone
caught having gay sex, imposing jail terms of up to life for
“aggravated homosexuality,” including sex with a minor or while
HIV positive.
“Instead of standing on the side of freedom, justice, and
equal rights for its people, today, regrettably, Ugandan
President Museveni took Uganda a step backward by signing into
law legislation criminalizing homosexuality,” White House
spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement.
His statement did not say whether U.S. assistance to Uganda
would be suspended. An official said last week aid would be
reviewed if Museveni signed the law. Washington is one of
Uganda’s largest foreign donors, with assistance of more than
$400 million annually in recent years.
Carney said the law was an affront and a danger to the gay
community in Uganda and reflects poorly on the country’s
commitment to protect the human rights of the Ugandan people.
“We will continue to urge the Ugandan government to repeal
this abhorrent law and to advocate for the protection of the
universal human rights of LGBT persons in Uganda and around the
world,” he said.
(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
