U.S. State Department Warns Against Travel to Uganda Over Anti-LGBTQI+ Legislation

The U.S. State Department on Monday is warning Americans against travel to Uganda.

The State Department is advising Americans to reconsider travel to the East African country due to crime, terrorism, and anti-LGBTQI+ legislation. In particular, the advisory called out the May 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act.

“The May 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act raises the risk that LGBTQI+ persons, and those perceived to be LGBTQI+, could be prosecuted and subjected to life imprisonment or death based on provisions in the law, and may be subject to mandatory reporting to the police if they are suspected of committing or intending to commit acts in violation of the law, and could face harassment or attacks by vigilantes,” the Uganda travel advisory reads.

“Supporters of the dignity and human rights of LGBTQI+ persons (including those of youth under the age of 18) could be prosecuted and imprisoned for multi-year sentences.”

Outside of that, travelers should also be aware of terrorist attacks and violent crime.

“Violent crime, such as armed robbery, home invasion, and sexual assault, presents a serious threat to those visiting and residing in Uganda and can occur at any time, especially in larger cities,” the advisory reads.

Most recently, the State Department also reissued travel advisories to four other destinations, including one popular European tourist spot in Denmark and another in the Caribbean in the Dominican Republic. Both of those are now at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.

Most of the popular international destinations for U.S. travelers remain in the State Department’s Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution or Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions categories. That includes Japan (Level 1), France (Level 2), Italy (level 2), Germany (Level 2), Spain (Level 2), United Kingdom (Level 2), The Bahamas (Level 2), and Turks and Caicos (Level 2), along with the four destinations that were updated this week.