Sir, – I was disturbed to learn that the Labour Party leader, Eamon Gilmore, in his role as Minister for Foreign Affairs,has stated that, although the suspension of aid to Uganda will remain in place until Irish officials are confident controls have been put in place to prevent another misappropriation of funds, his department would now examine a possible support programme for Uganda this year (“Suspension of aid to Uganda will remain in place”, News Agenda, January 8th).
This decision stems from the statement that the Ugandan government had demonstrated its commitment to bring those officials in the office of the Ugandan prime minister involved in the misappropriation of €4 million of Irish aid to account.
This is all to be commended. However, as I understand the current situation, Uganda agreed last November to pass a new law, a so-called “Christmas gift” by its advocates, which will severely persecute homosexuals. In some cases the Bill recommends the death penalty for people who engage in homosexual activities. Endemic homophobia in Uganda has been exacerbated by the Bill and the subsequent media coverage of it. The Bill is commonly referred to as the “Kill the Gays” Bill in the Ugandan press.
I am aware of the Minister’s commitment to equal rights in our own country, but does this commitment not stretch beyond our own borders? The Swedish government has threatened to pull its aid support programme to the Ugandan government if the Bill is passed. Why is Irish taxpayers’ hard-earned money being used to prop up a regime whose commitment to human rights runs so counter to our own. Development aid should be tied to conditions that respect basic human rights and dignities. – Yours, etc,