In recent news, Ugandan Member of Parliament Sarah Achieng Opendi has been denied a visa to attend the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. Opendi, who is known for advocating for castrating homosexuals during a parliamentary discussion on anti-LGBTQ+ laws, was refused a visa due to her support for such legislation.
The US embassy in Kampala cited an ongoing “administrative” review as the reason for denying Opendi’s visa request. Opendi expressed her shock at the decision, pointing out that despite the majority of MPs supporting the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, numerous MPs who endorsed it have been granted US visas. She currently chairs the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association.
The United States imposed visa restrictions on several Ugandan legislators and their families in December, citing their involvement in the legislation signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni. This law imposes severe penalties, including the death penalty or life imprisonment, for certain same-sex acts and sentences of up to 20 years for activities related to same-sex relationships.
The denial of Opendi’s visa follows similar actions taken by the US and the UK, which have previously denied visas to other Ugandan lawmakers who supported anti-LGBTQ+ laws. These actions have been welcomed by activists in Uganda, who see them as holding politicians accountable for their discriminatory views.
The rise of anti-gay laws in Africa is a cause for concern, with 33 out of 55 countries on the continent having laws against same-sex relationships. Countries such as Kenya, Namibia, Niger, Tanzania, and Uganda have intensified their anti-gay laws, while others like Ghana have recently passed legislation criminalizing same-sex relationships. The International Aids Society has expressed concern about the impact of these laws on the HIV response, urging governments to collaborate with vulnerable communities rather than oppose them.
It is worth noting that civil society groups are awaiting a verdict on a constitutional court appeal regarding the Ugandan legislation. The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda.
The denial of Sarah Opendi’s visa to attend the UN conference in New York serves as a strong statement against individuals who propagate hatred and discrimination. It sends a clear message that those who hold such views are unwelcome in civilized societies.
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