Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni responded Wednesday to the sanctions that Western countries threatened to impose on Kampala because of its adoption of a law against homosexuality, by saying that “no one will make us back down” from implementing this law, which is considered among the most repressive of homosexuals in the world.
The law, which became effective Monday after Museveni signed it, imposes severe penalties on same-sex relations as well as the “promotion” of homosexuality.
The adoption of this law sparked a wide wave of condemning reactions, especially in the West.
And on Wednesday, Museveni said in a meeting of leaders in his party, “The National Resistance Movement (the ruling party) has never spoken with two tongues. What we tell you secretly is what we say to you publicly.”
He added, according to a statement published by the Ugandan presidency, “From here, the signing of the law has been completed, and no one will make us retract it.”
According to the statement, “President Museveni urged Ugandans to remain firm, emphasizing that homosexuality is a serious issue of human concern.”
The statement added that the President of the Republic “congratulated the legislators for their support” of this text, saying that “when they fight for the right cause, no one can defeat them.”
This is Museveni’s first public comment since the “Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023” was passed.
The adoption of this law has sparked criticism from human rights organizations and many Western countries.
US President Joe Biden denounced the law, considering it a serious violation of human rights, and threatened to cut off aid and investment to the East African country.
In turn, European Union Foreign Minister Josep Borrell denounced the ratification of this law, which “contradicts human rights,” warning that if Uganda does not retract it, “relations with international partners will be threatened.”
The High Commissioner for Human Rights also expressed its “devastatation” to see this “cruel and discriminatory” bill enter into force, saying that it “contradicts the constitution and international treaties” and opens the way for “systematic violations of the rights of gay and transgender people.”
