By Abila Martha
Lord Henry Campbell Bellingham, a prominent British Conservative politician and member of the House of Lords, has made a bold call for regime change in Uganda during a recent parliamentary discussion. His statement comes in the wake of Uganda’s Constitutional Court upholding the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Law, which includes severe penalties such as the death sentence for aggravated homosexuality.
Expressing grave concern over the situation, Bellingham emphasized the urgent need for free and fair elections and a change in regime to address the appalling human rights situation in Uganda. He cited reports from the European Parliament highlighting the lack of fairness and violence surrounding Uganda’s recent elections, underscoring the pressing need for multi-party democracy.
In the parliamentary exchange, Lord Bellingham also drew attention to the European Parliament’s stance on Uganda’s anti-gay legislation and urged support for the opposition, particularly mentioning Joel Ssenyonyi, a courageous young politician deserving of international support.
Bellingham’s remarks highlight the growing international scrutiny faced by the Ugandan government following the enactment of the anti-gay law. The British Parliament’s engagement on this issue underscores the significant diplomatic challenges confronting Uganda on the global stage.
In response to inquiries from Lord Cashman regarding the UK government’s stance on Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, Minister of State Lord Beynon condemned the legislation for exacerbating violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. He reiterated the UK’s firm opposition to the law and disclosed diplomatic efforts to address the issue, including meetings with Ugandan officials to emphasize the importance of upholding human rights regardless of sexuality.
Unlike the overt diplomacy often employed by other nations, the UK’s approach leans towards quiet diplomacy. Nevertheless, the House of Lords’ vocal criticism and support for targeted sanctions against officials behind the anti-gay law demonstrate the gravity of the situation and the UK’s commitment to addressing human rights abuses.
Lord Cashman’s call for targeted sanctions against individuals involved in implementing the law received cautious acknowledgment from Lord Beynon, who affirmed the UK’s commitment to addressing the issue at all levels of government. Subsequently, the UK government imposed sanctions on Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and two former ministers accused of corruption, marking the first utilization of the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime in Uganda.
The move prompted speculation among Ugandan officials that the sanctions may also reflect international displeasure over Uganda’s anti-gay legislation, further highlighting the interconnectedness of human rights and corruption concerns in diplomatic relations.