The trade and development minister, Mogens Jensen (S), who is himself gay, has just returned from Uganda in a bid to make it clear to the African country's government that its desire to pass an anti-gay law is a clear breach of human rights.
Jensen met with Ugandan officials, including the prime minister Patrick Amama Mbabazi, informing them that the anti-gay law was unacceptable and should not be ratified.
“The essential element is how the Ugandan authorities decide to interpret and enforce the law," Jensen said in a press release. “The Ugandan government assured me that LBGT persons wouldn’t be discriminated against, such as in connection with health needs.”
Jensen was also assured that the police would step in should anyone attempt to take the law into their own hands and attack members of the gay community.
READ MORE: Minister restructures Ugandan aid in wake of anti-gay law
Clinics getting aid
Jensen also met with human rights organisations and advocates in the African nation, which have petitioned for the controversial law to be annulled at the Ugandan Constitutional Court.
”The meeting with the civil society activist confirmed that Denmark has chosen the right course in this difficult case,” Jensen said. "There was a clear belief to maintain the critical dialogue with the government and to continue supporting the progressive work, such as the restructuring of Danish development aid.”
Jensen met with personnel and consumers of a clinic at one of the largest public hospitals in Uganda, which particularly assists sexually vulnerable groups in the country, including gay people and prostitutes.
The clinic will greatly benefit from the additional seven million kroner of Danish aid that it will now receive following the restructuring of Denmark's aid to Uganda in response to the signing of the anti-gay law.
