Uganda to lose Agoa deal amidst strained US ties

The United States has revealed plans to expel Uganda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) trade programme.

US President Joe Biden on Monday said that he intends to end the participation of the East African nation alongside Gabon, Niger and the Central African Republic in the programme over what he termed as "gross violations" of human rights and not making progress towards democratic rule.

Agoa, introduced in 2000, gives eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US for more than 1,800 products.

"The Government of Uganda has engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. I intend to terminate the designation of these countries as beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries under the Agoa, effective January 1, 2024. I will continue to assess whether the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda meet the Agoa eligibility requirements," Biden said.

In May, the US government had said it was considering removing Uganda from Agoa and introducing sanctions on the country after it passed a controversial anti-homosexuality law.

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni signed one of the world's toughest anti-LGBTQ laws, including the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality", drawing Western condemnation and risking sanctions from aid donors.

Same-sex relations were already illegal in Uganda but the new law goes further stipulates capital punishment for "serial offenders" against the law and transmission of a terminal illness like HIV/Aids through gay sex.

It also decrees a 20-year sentence for "promoting" homosexuality.

The law, which imposes a death penalty on people found guilty of engaging in certain same-sex acts, has faced global criticism.

Agoa is set to expire in September 2025, but discussions are already underway over whether to extend it and for how long.

African governments and industry groups are pushing for an early 10-year extension without changes to reassure business and new investors who might have concerns over Agoa's future.