How the US, UK, and the Un Received Uganda’s Anti-gay Rule

Following the enactment of Anti-Gay law in Uganda, various economies and bodies received it with mixed reactions.

While the laws seemed to have been positively received in Uganda and in many African States, as expected, there was discontent from the West and the UN.

In a press release from the State Department in Washington DC Monday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said President Obama’s government would ensure any engagement with Uganda would reflect the anti-discrimination policies supported by his government.

“Now that this law has been enacted, we are beginning an internal review of our relationship with the Government of Uganda to ensure that all dimensions of our engagement, including assistance programs, uphold our anti-discrimination policies and principles and reflect our values,” said Kerry

Mr. Kerry termed the law as controversial and called for its repeal, “This is a tragic day for Uganda and for all who care about the cause of human rights. Ultimately, the only answer is repeal of this law,” he said.

Earlier, a statement by US President Barrack Obama’s press secretary said that the Ugandan president “has regrettably taken his country a step backward instead of standing on the side of freedom, justice and equal rights for his people.”

The reaction by the United States came shortly after a similar one by the United Kingdom. British envoy William Hague said the UK strongly opposes all discrimination on any grounds adding that his government would continue to press Uganda to defend human rights for all, without discrimination on any grounds.

He said the Law will damage the country’s reputation internationally and that the British government was questioning its compatibility with Uganda’s constitution and international treaty obligations.

Mr Museveni’s assent to the controversial legislation has continued to draw sharp reactions from several quarters, including the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he intended to raise the issue of the anti-gay law in a meeting with Uganda’s ambassador to the UN.