Uganda’s President downplays US removal from trade deal amid anti-homosexuality law controversy
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has played down the significance of the United States’ decision to remove Uganda from a major trade agreement, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).
This move by the U.S. was announced by President Joe Biden last week and also affected three other countries, namely Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic (CAR).
Agoa, established in 2000, allows eligible sub-Saharan African nations to export over 1,800 products to the U.S. duty-free.
For years, Uganda has benefited from this program, exporting goods such as coffee and textiles to the U.S. without import taxes.
However, President Biden cited “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights” as the reason for expelling Uganda and the CAR from Agoa.
The CAR was specifically criticized for its collaboration with Russian Wagner group mercenaries, who have been accused of human rights abuses.
Niger and Gabon were excluded from Agoa due to their military rule and a lack of progress in establishing political pluralism and the rule of law.
In May, the U.S. had signaled its intention to remove Uganda from Agoa after the country passed a controversial anti-homosexuality law, which includes the death penalty for certain same-sex acts.
This law received widespread global criticism.
President Museveni responded to the expulsion by urging Ugandans not to be overly concerned, asserting that Uganda has the capacity to achieve its growth and transformation goals, even without the support of certain international actors.
Ugandan farmers and small business owners are expected to be adversely affected by their removal from Agoa, which is set to take effect at the beginning of the next year.
In August, the World Bank suspended new loans to Uganda following the anti-homosexuality law, and the U.S. State Department issued warnings about doing business in the country.
President Museveni has accused the World Bank of trying to use financial pressure to force the Ugandan government to abandon the controversial legislation.
Source-BBC
