Uganda Anti-Gay Bill Poses Financial Risk-Sweden

Kampala, February 26, 2014 –  Sweden’s Finance Minister Anders Borg warned Uganda that a new bill imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality could represent a financial risk for the east African economy.

President Yoweri Museveni initialled the bill on Monday, drawing immediate criticism from Western donors and Washington. Within hours, Norway and Denmark said they were holding back aid. Austria said it would review assistance.

Reflecting the gap between the policies of Western donors and some African attitudes, a Ugandan tabloid’s front-page carried the banner headline “Exposed” and threatened to out 200 allegedly known homosexuals, an act activists feared marked a new pogrom against the gay community.

“I’m really here to discuss the economy and growth opportunities, but that will be overshadowed, unfortunately, because they have taken this decision,” Borg told Swedish news Agency TT, referring to the bill on homosexuality.

“It represents a financial risk for Uganda to get this type of reputation,” said Borg, who was in Uganda on Monday and Tuesday, and met gay activists the same day the law was signed.

If the aid cuts become widespread, Uganda, east Africa’s third biggest economy, could be forced to cut spending or borrow deeper. When donors suspended aid in 2012 over graft concerns, Uganda revised its growth outlook downwards.

Homosexuality is taboo in almost all African countries and illegal in 37 including Uganda, where rights groups say gay people have long risked jail. 

he new bill strengthens existing punishments for anyone caught having gay sex, imposing jail terms of up to life for “aggravated homosexuality” – including sex with a minor or while HIV positive.

It outlaws lesbianism for the first time and makes it a crime to help individuals engage in homosexual acts.

Many culturally conservative Sub-Saharan African governments outlaw homosexuality, a point of friction with the many Western donors that support their budgets.

Meanwhile gay rights campaigners report a surge in house raids, violence and harassment against homosexuals since parliament passed the bill in December.

Many gays in the capital, Kampala, hid behind locked doors for a second day on Tuesday, they said.

Homosexuality is taboo in almost all African countries and illegal in 37 including Uganda, where rights groups say gay people have long risked jail. Fear of violence, imprisonment and loss of jobs means few gays in Africa come out.

Uganda’s leading tabloid Red Pepper printed pictures of 10 suspected homosexuals and a list of several dozen names with personal details about their work places and families.

“They are exposing people at a very dangerous time,” said Julian Onziema Pepe, a spokesperson for Sexual Minorities Uganda.

SABC