Museveni Tells Barack Obama to shut u
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni is one African president who right from the start is not afraid to speak his mind, stand firm for what he believes and defend it no matter the cost. In a recently surfaced video of the president during an interview with CNN reporters, the president in response to a question asked by one of the reporters referencing what President Obama said about the anti-gay law enacted in Uganda calmly told President Obama to mind his business.
(Video)
This year 2023 President Museveni signed into law what is now known as the harshest anti-gay law in the world and of course, the law was condemned by international human rights activists and the West most especially the USA who even went as far as sanctioning the country. Unsurprisingly this is not the first time the leaders of thdid not mind their business and interfered with policies made by African countries most especially when it comes to their so-called human rights, in essence, LGBTQ rights.
For years now the West has been trying to influence and pressure African countries to accept the LGBTQ community but most African leaders have refused seeing it as a counter to African culture and even going ahead to make it illegal with penalties for those who identify as such. President Museveni is one such president who has staunchly stood against homosexuality. Prior to the recent law he made this year, the President had previously in 2014 signed into law an Anti-Homosexuality Bill which prescribes life imprisonment for acts of “aggravated homosexuality”.
A few weeks before the president enacted the law, President Obama in a written statement warned Uganda not to sign the law saying that it would “complicate our valued relationship”. He said that the bill, if signed into law, would be a “step backward” for all Ugandans and reflect poorly on the country’s commitment to protect the human rights of its people. It also would represent a serious setback for anyone committed to freedom, justice and equal rights. He also said that the United States stands for the protection of fundamental freedoms and universal human rights and believes people everywhere should be treated equally. He then added that “That is why I am so deeply disappointed that Uganda will shortly enact legislation that would criminalize homosexuality,”
Against the warning from President Obama, Uganda President Museveni went ahead to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law which garnered outrage from the West. In an interview with CNN, the President of Uganda was asked how he would respond to President Obama’s statement and if it worries him about the complications that may occur between the USA and Uganda as a result of the law. His response was simply sensational. He spoke calmly like a man who is firm in his belief and has nothing to worry about.
President Museveni stated that Africans have been disappointed for a long time with the conduct of the West but choose to say nothing about it because in his own words “it’s not our country”. This means Africans are not cool with your conduct and way of life but they respect it and don’t try to impose it on you. The President went on to say that Africans are more disappointed because it seems that the West is trying to impose their way of life and conduct on them. He added that he wasn’t worried at all by the statement made by President Obama that the USA-Uganda relationship will be complicated. He stated that if the West does not want to work with Uganda because of homosexuals then Uganda has enough space to live by themselves and do business with other people.
The Uganda President should definitely be applauded for this statement because it shows that he is truly an amazing leader and one who stands continuously for what he believes in no matter the cost.