Following the US travel warning against Uganda that was released on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, some government officials have refuted the US’ claims of violent crimes and terrorist attacks in Uganda.
Col. Deo Akiiki, the Deputy Defence Spokesperson said that Uganda is protected and safe from border to border than the previous years.
“Uganda is much safer than before, from border to border. Terrorism is with us and has been with us, including in the US, and we have always partnered with the US and the world to fight terrorism. Indeed, Uganda has been at the forefront,” he said.
During a phone interview, David Kabanda, a Member of Parliament for Kasambya County, said that the Ugandan Parliament does not regret enacting the anti-homosexuality bill into law since Uganda has a culture and children to protect.
“When any law is passed, it must be implemented for the good of the people. The whites want us to like homosexuality like they do, but we cannot have the same likes, and they should know that we can live without them,” Kabanda said.
ASP Luke Owoyesigire, the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson said that, it’s the mandate of the US government to inform their citizens the way they want whether lies or not.
“We are not bothered by the way US informs it citizens and we cannot stop them, but we also assure Ugandans that the country is safe and our mandate is to protect our people,” he said.
In the statement, the US government advised its citizens to reconsider their travels to Uganda claiming that there are threats of terrorist attacks and violent crimes in different villages of the country.
“There remains a threat of terrorist attacks in Uganda and throughout the region. Terrorist attacks occurred in several villages in western Uganda in December 2022 and there were multiple bombings in and around Kampala in 2021. While the attacks did not appear to target foreign nationals, anyone can be a victim. US citizens should remain alert and avoid large public gatherings” the statement read.
The US claimed that Uganda is associated with violent crimes such as armed robbery, home invasion and sexual assault, adding that, the passed anti-homosexuality law violets the rights of LGBTQI community.
