Entebbe, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has penned a letter to United States President Joe Biden in response to the decision to suspend Uganda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
In late October, President Biden informed the US House of Representatives that starting next year, four countries—Central African Republic, Niger, Gabon, and Uganda—would cease to benefit from AGOA. This initiative allows African countries to sell products to the US market without restrictions. Biden cited the deteriorating human rights environment in Uganda as the rationale behind the decision.
Museveni’s letter to President Biden was sent through the US ambassador to Uganda, William Popp, during a meeting at State House Entebbe. Although the contents of the letter were not disclosed, Museveni expressed, “President Biden wrote to me about AGOA, so I have answered him. You will deliver the letter to him,” while handing the letter to Popp.
In response, Ambassador Popp reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to continuing cooperation with Uganda through improved bilateral relations. He emphasized the desire to engage in business with Uganda without restrictions, through various projects.
This development unfolded in the wake of the US imposing visa restrictions on members of the Ugandan government due to human rights abuses and the undermining of the democratic process.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, on Monday, announced the expansion of visa restrictions to include current or former Ugandan officials or others believed to be complicit in undermining the democratic process or implementing policies aimed at repressing marginalized or vulnerable populations, including environmental activists, human rights defenders, journalists, LGBTQI+ persons, and civil society organizers. Blinken’s statement also indicated that the immediate family members of such individuals may be subject to these restrictions.
Museveni’s response to President Biden’s decision to exclude Uganda from AGOA highlights the growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, emphasizing the impact on trade relations and the broader implications for Uganda’s democratic and human rights landscape.
