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KAMPALA - Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliament Asuman Basalirwa says it has come to their notice that the US embassy in Uganda has revoked Speaker of Parliament Anita Among visa.

Basalirwa made the revelations while addressing the media over the new Anti-Homosexuality Act on Monday, May 29, 2023, at Member’s Lounge at Parliament. 

The revelation comes just hours after President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law. 

However, it remains unclear whether the move by the embassy had to do with Among's role in the formulation and subsequent passing of the Bill, which is now an Act.

This comes amidst fears that donors, especially from the West might slash their cash contributions following the enactment of the law which provides for the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality (sex acts committed without consent or under duress, against children, people with mental or physical disabilities by a serial offender or involving incest).

Basalirwa, the mover of the aforementioned legislation has now rallied fellow politicians to hold firm.

“I think they were looking for my US visa which they didn’t find. So, the first victim is the Speaker and I understand the UK Government is doing the same. First of all, you will cancel all our visas and I have no problem with the way a country manages its affairs. If in their wisdom and democracy, they don’t want us in their countries, it is their right and I don’t want anybody to blame America or the UK for cancelling visas. I will not complain, begrudge any embassy for cancelling anybody’s visas,” he stated.

However, he said that his problem with these visa bans is that they single out individuals and leave other key players scot-free. 

“This law was signed by the President of the Republic of Uganda, may I invite America, Canada, Britain, the entire European Union (EU) to also cancel the visas of President Yoweri Museveni. May I also invite them to cancel the visas of all MPs except two. Let there be a travel ban not only on Basalirwa and Rt. Hon. Anita Among, let all of us be subjected. 

In fact, let all Ugandans be denied visas to America, Canada and EU. Why? Because this has been the most Bipartisan Bill in the history of this country. So, why pick out Basalirwa, Speaker Anita Among. Was this surprising, no; it was expected. I personally spoke to Bahati [David], he told me that after he had championed this Bill in the last Parliament, booking a hotel to sleep in the US was a challenge,” Basalirwa added.

Don’t give up

According to Basalirwa, this development shouldn’t weaken Ugandan’s resolve to expunge what he calls a vile vice.  

“Let us consider looking for development partners and I am ready to champion the cause of going to the Arab world to look for donor support. We will go to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and this deficit which will be occasioned by cuts can easily be replaced. So, let us re-engage, if we have not been thinking about the Middle East and particularly the Arab world where they respect morals and values, let us go there,” Basalirwa said.

Basalirwa says it has come to their notice that the US embassy in Uganda has revoked Speaker of Parliament Anita Among visa. (File Photo)

Visa cancellation

A correspondence seen by New Vision indicates that the US embassy in Kampala wrote to Among on May 16, 2023. 

“The United States Government has revoked your current visas on information that came available after your last issuance. As of May 12, 2023; you do not possess a valid visa to travel to the United States though you are welcome to apply again. Please forward your passport to the embassy through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that we can make the necessary modifications to your visas,” the email states, purportedly from the embassy, reads.

When contacted, Ellen Masi, the Public Affairs Counsellor at the US Embassy in Kampala said, "Visa records are confidential under US law; therefore, we cannot discuss the details of this individual case." 

Parliament unaware

This development has caught Parliament spokesperson Chris Obore unaware.

“I have just heard this from people who were at the press conference. You know diplomatic communications are specific. They are addressed to the Speaker directly,” Obore responded.

“I cannot confirm or deny that it is about Anti-Homosexuality Bill. It’s only the American Embassy that can give proper context. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the lead agency in diplomatic relations so you could find out how much they know about the matter,” he said.

According to Among’s personal assistant, Joseph Sabiiti, “no reason was given” for the cancellation of the visa. As such, we can’t confirm whether the visa revocation has anything to do with the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.