The U.S mission in Kampala has declined to expound on what triggered the cancellation of Speaker Anita Among’s visa.
In an email sent to the Speaker on May 16, the U.S government notified the 3rd powerful citizen that her current visa was invalid and it would require her to apply for a new one.
The development comes against the backdrop of anti-gay bill which was passed by Parliament last month and signed into law by the President of Uganda last week.
Hon Among on Monday morning announced that President Yoweri Museveni had appended his signature, arousing excitement across the country.
“His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has executed his constitutional mandate as prescribed by Article 91 (3) (a) of the Constitution. He has assented to the Anti-Homosexuality Act,” Hon Among said.
“As the Parliament of Uganda, we have answered the cries of our people. We have legislated to protect the sanctity of family as per Article 31 of the Constitution Uganda. We have stood strong to defend our culture and aspirations of our people as per objectives 19 & 24 of national objectives and directive principles of state policy,” the Speaker added.
Earlier, while presiding over the House, Among categorically stated that she was not moved by threats that she would be blocked from travelling to America. “I know fear to be blocked to go to my constituency.”
Addressing the media on Monday afternoon, the mover of the bill Hon Asuman Basalirwa said those at the forefront of the pushing the bill had already been victims of the threats by the Western Countries particularly America and England.
“Visas have been cancelled. But I don’t know why they are picking out a few. Cancel all visas of all MPs save for two. Infact cancel visas for all Ugandans,” Basalirwa said.
However, the American Embassy in Kampala didn’t delve into details of what caused the cancellation of Among’s visa.
Speaking to this website Ellen Masi, the Public Affairs Counsellor, U.S. Embassy Kampala said: “Visa records are confidential under U.S. law; therefore, we cannot discuss the details of individual visa cases.”
She would later refer us to a statement by the American government in which President Joe Biden threatens to freeze $1 billion aid extended to Uganda annually if Uganda doesn’t repeal the law.
