U.S. Representative Andy Barr has criticized the Biden administration for its handling of relations with Uganda, arguing that Washington’s response to the country’s Anti-Homosexuality Law has driven it closer to China.
Speaking in Congress, Barr accused the administration of “severely punishing” Uganda over the controversial law while simultaneously allocating millions of dollars in grants to support LGBT rights in the country. According to Barr, USAID has provided a $600,000 grant to “empower Uganda’s LGBT community” and an additional $5.4 million aimed at “shifting public perception and attitudes in Uganda towards LGBT acceptance.”
“The Biden administration has isolated Uganda, pushing it further into China’s sphere of influence, yet continues to fund programs that directly challenge Uganda’s sovereignty,” Barr stated.
Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Law, passed in 2023, has been widely condemned by Western governments and human rights organizations, leading to economic consequences, including the World Bank’s suspension of new loans to the country. The Ugandan government has since sought closer ties with China and Russia, securing alternative funding and investments.
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The U.S. grants for LGBT programs in Uganda are part of Washington’s broader human rights agenda, but critics argue they risk further straining diplomatic relations with Kampala, which has dismissed Western pressure as neo-colonial interference.
Ugandan officials have yet to respond to Barr’s remarks.
