The United States unveiled a new visa restriction policy targeted at officials in Zimbabwe on Monday. Furthermore, the U.S. authorities expanded the existing restriction policy on Ugandan officials, encompassing individuals believed to be actively undermining democracy and oppressing marginalized groups within Uganda.
The announcement, delivered by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, highlighted concerns about the marginalization of specific groups, including the LGBT community in Uganda and civil society advocates in Zimbabwe.
Notably, Blinken’s statements refrained from explicitly naming any specific official implicated in these actions.
Clarifying the rationale behind the decision, the statement from the U.S. State Department revealed that the visa restrictions on Ugandan officials were initially imposed following the passage of a controversial law.
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Moreover, the State Department reiterated that previous visa restrictions on Ugandan officials were enacted in response to what it deemed “flawed” elections in the country in 2021.
The statement partly reads, “After Uganda’s flawed 2021 presidential elections, I announced a visa restriction policy targeting those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda.
“At that time, I implored the Government of Uganda to significantly improve its record and hold accountable those responsible for flawed electoral processes, violence, and intimidation.
“Today, I am announcing the expansion of the visa restriction policy to include current or former Ugandan officials or others who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda or for policies or actions aimed at repressing members of marginalized or vulnerable populations.
“These groups include, but are not limited to, environmental activists, human rights defenders, journalists, LGBTQI+ persons, and civil society organizers. The immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions.
“The United States stands by the Ugandan people and remains committed to working together to advance democracy, human rights, public health, and mutual prosperity.
“I once again strongly encourage the Government of Uganda to make concerted efforts to uphold democracy and to respect and protect human rights so that we may sustain the decades-long partnership between our countries that has benefited Americans and Ugandans alike.”
“This visa restriction policy is pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and expands upon the policy Secretary Blinken approved in 2021,” the statement added.
Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law, considered one of the harshest in the world, was enacted in May and carries the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” an offence that includes transmitting HIV through gay sex.