Uganda Aligns with BRICS, Bad News for Uganda’s Queer Population
It is January, of the year 2025, and Uganda makes an axial decision that will fundamentally impact its standing within the political and economical tensions of the world: to align itself with BRICS, which stands for an economic alliance formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This is an action made out of desperation.
In 2023, Uganda accepted into action incredibly harsh anti-LGBTQ+ legislature that has tossed its queer community in jeopardy. These laws sanction homosexual “behaviors” as criminal, punishable by anywhere between 10 years to life in prison, or even the death penalty. In 2024, this law has been—for the most part—upheld, and though activists convinced parliament to strike down certain parts of the law surrounding healthcare, housing, and reporting, the current climate for LGBTQ+ individuals in Uganda remains dire.
The response to these laws was swift from all corners:
- The World Bank halted loans to Uganda
- Joe Biden expelled the country from a U.S.-African Trade Pact
- Protesters demanded that the EU sanction Uganda
- Pope Francis himself denounced the measures as unacceptable.
Overall, these measures have cost Uganda billions … and so it’s understandable that where Western economies fail to provide support, Uganda turned to other resources.
In a classic display of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Uganda turned to BRICS, and though they may not find quite the scale of economic resources as with the United States, something is better than nothing. Is this good for Uganda’s LGBTQ+ community? Absolutely not, nor does it do political tension between the East and the West any favors. However, no one can deny the poor state of Uganda’s economy, and so it is only reasonable that Uganda turns to wherever it can find the fastest restitution.
During this time, it is more important than ever to stand with Uganda’s queer community in solidarity. You can find more information about organizations providing relief at their websites listed below:
