Biden, Cruz Speak Out Against Uganda's New Law Punishing 'Aggravated' Homosexuality with Death

President Joe Biden and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) both condemned a new anti-homosexuality law passed by Uganda which includes a provision for the death penalty.

What Happened: Biden called the law "shameful" and said it was the latest development in an "alarming trend of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda," according to a White House statement. 

"The enactment of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act is a tragic violation of universal human rights," said the statement.

The president said he had directed his National Security Council to "evaluate the implications of this law on all aspects of U.S. engagement with Uganda," which includes the delivery of services under the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Cruz called the Uganda law "horrific & wrong." on Twitter. The senator said, "Any law criminalizing homosexuality or imposing the death penalty for ‘aggravated homosexuality' is grotesque & an abomination."

The Texas Republican asked all civilized countries to come together in "condemning this human rights abuse."

Why It Matters: The "Anti Homosexuality Bill 2023" was introduced in the Ugandan parliament by an opposition lawmaker earlier in March.

Violations under the law called for penalties such as death for aggravated homosexuality and life in prison for gay sex.

Friends, family and community members will have a duty to report individuals in same-sex relationships to the government, according to a prior report.

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