Amid growing controversy surrounding his recent comments on BBC regarding homosexuality, National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu remains non-committal, sparking intense public outbursts.
Kyagulanyi’s response coincides with a crucial time for Uganda, as a delegation is currently in the United States to discuss the country’s removal from the list of beneficiaries for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Addressing the press in a bid to clarify his stance, Kyagulanyi stated, “I cannot persecute them,” referring to the LGBTQ+ community, but stopped short of committing to any specific position on the matter.
He emphasized that some of the comments attributed to him, especially those suggesting collaboration with President Museveni, his political competitor, were taken out of context to tarnish his name.
The unfolding situation has broader implications as the Ugandan delegation engages with the Biden administration to negotiate Uganda’s reinstatement in AGOA.
The country was removed from the list due to human rights violations and the recent passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.
Kyagulanyi’s nuanced stance on homosexuality raises questions amid both domestic and international scrutiny.
As discussions about human rights violations take centre stage, NUP vows to persist in demanding the release of supporters who were reportedly abducted and have yet to resurface.
In a related development, Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of the Opposition, affirmed NUP’s commitment to unveil its new shadow cabinet once the selection process is finalized by the concerned parties.
The party remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice and accountability.