Friday, May 23, 2025
UG Standard - Latest News
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Login
UG Standard - Latest News
Your browser does not support the video tag.
ADVERTISEMENT

US govt warns its companies against investing in Uganda

by JACKSON RUGUNDA | UG STANDARD REPORTER
24/10/2023
in News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Mixed images of US President Joe Biden (right) and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni [Photos from Getty Images]
Mixed images of US President Joe Biden (right) and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni [Photos from Getty Images]
The Biden administration on Monday warned US companies and citizens that they face heightened risks and conflicting legal obligations when doing business in Uganda, citing endemic corruption and human rights restrictions exacerbated by the recently passed anti-homosexuality law.

The US issued a “business advisory” on the potential “financial and reputational risks resulting from endemic corruption” in Uganda, as well as “violence against human rights activists, media members, health workers, members of minority groups, LGBTQI+ persons, and political opponents.” It said that the anti-homosexuality act increased restrictions on human rights, including “restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and exacerbates issues regarding the respect for leases and employment contracts.”

Related posts

Amb. Milton Kambula, President Global Peace Foundation (GPF)

2026 Elections: Amb. Kambula urges Ugandans to Desistfrom Political, Tribal Divisions

20/05/2025
165
Deputy Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija being welcomed by Acting Chief Registrar, Pamella Lamunu and Judiciary Public Relations Officer, Eremye Mawanda on Thursday.

Judiciary extends service closer to people on Buvuma Court open day

18/05/2025
167
The acused in dock on Friday. (Courtesy photo)

Advocate charged and remanded over Forgery

17/05/2025
270
The Head of the Anti-Corruption Unit at State House, Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke

Brigadier Isoke urges Police officers to Spearhead the fight against Corruption

14/05/2025
1.4k

The warning comes after the World Bank, Uganda’s largest multilateral lender and development aid provider, decided in August to suspend new funding due to the anti-gay bill. The bank recently said that it will only resume funding once it is satisfied that the Ugandan government has made efforts to ensure that LGBTQI+ people are not mistreated or marginalised in the programmes it funds.

It also follows a “travel advisory” updated in July by the US State Department, which advised US citizens to “reconsider travel to Uganda due to crime, terrorism, and anti-LGBTQI+ legislation.” The advisory was updated from level two – which advises travellers to exercise extreme caution – to level three, the second most critical, which advises travellers to reconsider or avoid travel due to serious safety risks.

The business advisory warned that the government’s restrictions on an independent parliament, “lack of commitment to fair trial guarantees” and “co-opted security forces” could make it difficult for US companies and individuals to operate, and could increase as the 2026 elections draw closer.

“There are risks associated with interference in and intimidation of the judiciary, use of influence in the courts to resolve political disputes,” the advisory said. “Inconsistently implemented legislation, rent-seeking from officials, and intrusive government security and surveillance likewise can adversely impact the ability of US businesses and individuals to operate.”

It added that officials “frequently engage in corrupt practices with impunity,” and that the well-connected among them enjoy “de facto immunity” from the law since they are rarely prosecuted. “This endemic corruption can impede US businesses’ ability to engage in government procurement processes and obtain necessary permits. It also poses reputational risks for US companies operating in such a business environment.”

The advisory said that the iterative anti-gay law “creates additional opportunities for interference with business” by requiring reporting of suspected LGBTQI+ individuals and criminalising of the broadly defined “promotion” of homosexuality. “There have been credible reports of landlords evicting private and commercial tenants based on the landlord’s unsubstantiated claim that there is activity taking place in violation of the AHA,” it said.

“The AHA creates additional avenues for corrupt actors to extract bribes, delay permits, and hinder competition through LGBTQI+ reporting under the law, or threats of such reporting, which require little to no substantiation.”

The multi-department advisory also warned of heightened risks for media companies and workers. These are the subject of “violence and harassment” by security forces, and direct and indirect censorship by government officials, including through intimidation. Moreover, the anti-gay bill does not spare them, criminalising “a wide range of commercial activities” of interest to them.

“In addition, the AHA is not explicitly limited to activity occurring inside Uganda, so broadcasters, streaming services and internet advertisers may face risks to their business in Uganda arising from activities outside of Uganda,” it said.

Ugandan law also creates potentially conflicting obligations for US companies and individuals because they are subject to US law, the advisory said.

“For example, US law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in federal contracting under Executive Order 11246 and its implementing regulations. Employees of federal contractors performing work outside the United States are covered by these protections if they were recruited within the United States.

“Accordingly, if employees recruited within the United States are or will be performing work on federal contracts in Uganda, federal contracting agencies must include sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited bases of discrimination in the Equal Opportunity Clause in contracts over $10,000.”

The advisory was issued by the departments of state, labour, health and human services, commerce, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Tags: African Development Bank President Akinwumi A. AdesinaEbola case confirmed ahead of MuseveniFeaturedPresident Biden

Related Posts

 Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians
News

 Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians

05/11/2022
0
236

Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians RAMALLAH, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas...

Read moreDetails
Equity ranked 4th strongest banking brand globally on brand strength, scoring 92.4 points out of 100

 Equity Bank Under Scrutiny for Alleged Role in UGX.3bn Fake Gold Scam

09/07/2024
532
Kabuleta and other opposition politicians have teamed up to put an end to Museveni's leadership

 Kabuleta, other opposition politicians team up to put an end to Museveni’s leadership

27/02/2024
394
President Museveni

 Museveni commends Ugandan scientists! 

21/07/2020
855
Load More

Popular Articles

  • Check out the top schools with pupils who scored 6 in 4 aggregates in the 2024 PLE results, as released by UNEB

    PLE 2024 Results: Top Schools with 6 in 4 Aggregates

    4301 shares
    Share 1720 Tweet 1075
  • NIRA unveils high-tech National ID, mass enrollment set to begin

    2587 shares
    Share 1035 Tweet 647
  • FULL LIST: Ministry of Education, NCDC publish self-study workbooks amid COVID-19 lockdown

    3318 shares
    Share 1346 Tweet 822
  • How to Check PLE Results 2024 on Phone, Online

    1776 shares
    Share 710 Tweet 444
  • PLE 2024 Results: UNEB Clarifies on Release Date

    1647 shares
    Share 659 Tweet 412
  • MPs clear govt to cancel 2020 academic year

    2795 shares
    Share 1149 Tweet 686
  • UNEB agrees to adjust examinations timetables to accommodate lost time

    2660 shares
    Share 1086 Tweet 656

Recent Articles

Whistleblower Alleges Widespread Judicial Fraud in Uganda Courts

23/05/2025
Senior Superintendent of Police Nixon Agasirwe

Ex-Uganda Police Commander Nixon Agasirwe Arrested in 2015 Prosecutor Murder

23/05/2025
Uganda's Ministry of Education and Sports opens internal recruitment for 15 key roles in the CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 Local Organizing Committee Secretariat. Current staff of affiliated sports bodies encouraged to apply.

Ministry of Education opens internal recruitment for CHAN 2024, AFCON 2027 Secretariat

23/05/2025
(L-R) Doreen Katusiime, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism Wildlife & Antiquities hands over a present to Col. Edith Nakalema, Head of State House Investors Protection Unit as Rebecca Nalumu, Senior Manager Special Economic Zone operations at Uganda Free Zone Authority looks on. PPU PHOTO

2026 POLLS: Col. Nakalema assures tourists on security

23/05/2025
Her Excellency Karin Boven Ambassador of Netherlands to Uganda and Journalist Agatha Atuhaire (PHOTO/Courtesy)

Journalist Atuhaire Located Safe After Tanzania Arrest

23/05/2025
Museveni emphasized that wealth creation at the grassroots level, particularly through commercial agriculture and small-scale enterprises, is crucial for sustainable job growth in the country.

Museveni: Private Sector Creates More Jobs Than Government

23/05/2025
Mr. Moses Byaruhanga, the Senior Presidential Advisor In-charge of Political Mobilization assured the vendors (traders)

Museveni directs MSC to offer 8 percent annual interest loans to market vendors

23/05/2025

Recent CommentsRecent Comments

  • Uganda Faces Billions In Tax Losses From Thriving Illicit Alcohol Trade – Press Uganda on Uganda Faces Billions in Tax Losses from Thriving Illicit Alcohol Trade
  • CAUGHT RED-HANDED?! Top Kampala Lawyer-Lender Faces Claims Of Courtroom Manipulation And “Phantom Documents”! – Press Uganda on CAUGHT RED-HANDED?! Top Kampala Lawyer-Lender Faces Claims of Courtroom Manipulation and “Phantom Documents”!
  • Centenary Bank Boss: Startups Should Leverage TikTok For Growth – Press Uganda on Centenary Bank boss: Startups Should Leverage TikTok for Growth
  • 3 Dead, 9 Injured In Mukono Highway Crash – Press Uganda on 3 Dead, 9 Injured in Mukono Highway Crash
  • Mufti Returns From Russia – Press Uganda on Mufti Returns from Russia
UG Standard - Latest News

UG Standard, published via www.ugstandard.com isa publication of Sahel Media Solutions Ltd, a professional Digital/New Media company in Uganda info@ugstandard.com

Follow us on social media:

Latest News

  • Whistleblower Alleges Widespread Judicial Fraud in Uganda Courts
  • Ex-Uganda Police Commander Nixon Agasirwe Arrested in 2015 Prosecutor Murder
  • Ministry of Education opens internal recruitment for CHAN 2024, AFCON 2027 Secretariat
  • 2026 POLLS: Col. Nakalema assures tourists on security
  • Journalist Atuhaire Located Safe After Tanzania Arrest
  • Museveni: Private Sector Creates More Jobs Than Government

OpED

Understanding Air Expansion and Its Impact in Kasese District, Western Uganda

The Empire, the Spectacle, and the Soft Coup in South Africa

Inside South Africa’s Retail Shake-Up

Afrikaners for the U.S. as Refugees?

In Memoriam: Rajiv Ruparelia – A Legacy of Vision and Heart

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About Us

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
%d