The US has denied a visa to Hon. Sarah Achieng Opendi, who previously called for homosexuals to be castrated during a parliamentary debate on anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
Opendi’s visa denial came as she sought to attend a UN meeting in New York.
Opendi expressed shock at the decision, noting that many MPs who supported the anti-LGBTQ+ bill have obtained US visas.
The US State Department declined to comment on individual visa cases.
In December, the US imposed visa restrictions on hundreds of Ugandan lawmakers and their families.
This was due to their involvement in the legislation, which imposes ‘harsh’ penalties for same-sex acts.
Last year, the US and UK denied visas to Ugandan parliamentary speaker Anita Among.
Activists in Uganda have welcomed these actions, seeing them as a strong statement against those spreading hatred.
The denial of visas to politicians who violate human rights is seen as holding them accountable and sending a message that such individuals have no place in civilized societies.
Anti-gay laws in Africa continue to tighten, with several countries passing legislation to criminalize same-sex relationships.
The surge in anti-gay laws threatens the HIV response according to the International Aids Society.
The International Aids Society calls for governments to work with vulnerable communities rather than against them.
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