beyond the global outcry, human rights activists demand sanctions against the power in place

It is one of the most repressive laws in the world which was enacted on Monday, May 29, in Uganda. This new law criminalizes homosexuality with heavy penalties of up to 20 years in prison and in cases of recidivism the death penalty. The outcry is worldwide: the United States denounces a “tragic injury”, while Europe judges her “deplorable”. But more than words, actions are also needed. Ugandan human rights activists demand sanctions.

Restrictions on entry into the United States considered

You have to imagine the courage of these opponents who live under the rule of the indestructible Yoweri Museveni in power since 1986 in this East African country, which he rules with an iron fist. They hope for sanctions from the international community. “This is a key moment for the United States and the European Union to move forward”, claim Ugandan human rights organizations. US President Joe Biden has already instructed his team to study the implications on all aspects of the US-Uganda relationship. Restrictions on entry into the United States are considered. Ugandan activists have announced that they are also filing an appeal to the Constitutional Court.

This is not the first time that there has been such a mobilization. In 2014, a bill punishing homosexuals with life imprisonment was blocked by the Ugandan courts for technical reasons. However, it had already led to sanctions from the Americans and several European countries. Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands had frozen part of their bilateral aid.

The rise of evangelical Christianity

The risk today is that other African countries will follow Uganda. Over the past thirty years, the rise of a religious movement hostile to the LGBT movement has been observed on the African continent. Evangelical Christianity, that’s its name, is homophobic, racist, anti-abortion. This church, very present in the United States and South America, is growing rapidly in Africa. The Ugandan president became a fan in 2008.

Human rights activists are warning of a bill being prepared in Ghana that plans to criminalize same-sex relationships. In 2021, evangelicals were present in 37 of the 54 countries on the African continent. Two years later, in 2023, homosexuality is repressed in 27 African countries.