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Obama tells Ugandan President: Signing anti-gay law would be a huge step backwards

Feb 17 2014
Written by Scott Roberts

President Barack Obama has warned Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni not to sign the country’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

On Friday, President Museveni signalled that he was ready to sign the draconian bill.

In December, Uganda’s Parliament passed legislation to toughen the punishment for same-sex sexual activity, including life imprisonment for ‘repeat offenders’.

President Yoweri Museveni said he would only sign the bill into law if he had proof that gay people are ‘made’ and ‘not born’ into their sexuality.

His spokesman says Mr Museveni has changed his mind, after a report was compiled claiming “that homosexuality is not a genetic but a social behaviour”.

In a statement on Sunday, President Obama said signing the bill would “complicate our valued relationship” and will mark a “step backward” for all Ugandans and reflect poorly on the country’s commitment to protect the human rights of its people.

“That is why I am so deeply disappointed that Uganda will shortly enact legislation that would criminalise homosexuality,” President Obama said in a written statement issued from Southern California.

“The Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda, once law, will be more than an affront and a danger to the gay community in Uganda. It will be a step backward for all Ugandans and reflect poorly on Uganda’s commitment to protecting the human rights of its people. It also will mark a serious setback for all those around the world who share a commitment to freedom, justice and equal rights.

“Enacting this legislation will complicate our valued relationship with Uganda,” he said.