The Ugandan government is defending strict anti-gay proposals that would jail homosexuals for life, even if it means losing the country’s foreign aid.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has announced he would sign the anti-homosexuality legislation into law, despite warnings from Western allies, the Agence France-Presse reported.
“We shall not care losing the financial support from our partners if only we are left alone,” said Minister for Ethics and Integrity Simon Lokodo, adding that Ugandans would rather “die poor than live in an immoral nation.”
“For donors to say they will not give us aid because of the anti-homosexuality bill and the anti-porno law, that is blackmail and unacceptable, they can rather stay with their aid,” he said. “If tomorrow, the president signs the anti-homosexuality bill and the outside world say they are not coming to Uganda, let them remain there, we don’t care.”
A presidential spokesman said Monday that Mr. Muzeveni came out in support of the bill after enlisting a team of scientists who concluded that homosexuality is behavioral, not genetic, AFP reported.
U.S. President Obama said on Sunday that he was “deeply disappointed” in Uganda’s plans to move forward with the legislation and said it would complicate their relationship.
“We believe that people everywhere should be treated equally, with dignity and respect, and that they should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, no matter who they are or whom they love,” Mr. Obama said in a statement.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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