February 28, 2014
Kerry: Anti-Gay Law Complicates US-Uganda Ties
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has told Uganda's president that the African nation's new anti-gay law will complicate its relationship with America.
In a statement Friday, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Kerry also urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (YO-wary Muh-Sevany) to ensure the safety of all of his citizens, including people who are gay, bisexual or transgender.
The two leaders spoke by phone on Thursday.
The statement said Kerry expressed deep disappointment over the law that punishes gay sex with up to life in prison. He said it will have a negative effect on public health efforts, tourism and foreign investment in Uganda.
Already, the World Bank has postponed a $90 million loan to Uganda for its health systems because of the law, which Museveni approved this week.
