US criticises Uganda's move to criminalize homosexuality

The White House said on Monday that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was taking his country "a step backward" by signing into law a bill criminalizing homosexuality. "Instead of standing on the side of freedom, justice, and equal rights for its people, today, regrettably, Ugandan President Museveni took Uganda a step backward by signing into law legislation criminalizing homosexuality," spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement. Quoting President Barack Obama, Carney called the law "more than an affront and a danger" to the gay community in Uganda, saying "it reflects poorly on the country's commitment to protecting the human rights of its people and will undermine public health, including efforts to fight HIV/AIDS." Carney said Washington will continue to urge the Ugandan government to repeal the "abhorrent" law. Despite opposition from the United States and others, Museveni on Monday signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law, an act he said was based on the fact that there is no scientific proof yet that people are homosexuals by genetics. Those found guilty of homosexual acts will be jailed up to 14 years under the new law, a sentence that increases to life imprisonment in "aggravated" cases, such as those committed by an HIV positive person, or those involving minors, the disabled and serious offenders. Obama warned last week that the move to criminalize homosexuality will "complicate" U.S. relations with Uganda, a hint at cutting aid to the East African country.