Sir Richard Branson has written a post on the Virgin website
urging companies worldwide to stop doing business with Uganda because
of its anti-homosexuality law and points out other countries where such
laws exist.
Writes Branson:
Ugandan MPs have passed a new law making
homosexuality punishable by life imprisonment. The law also means people
who do not report gay people can be sent to prison.
I have been courted by various people and government officials to do business in Uganda. I was seriously considering it.
However, the dreadful witch hunt against
the gay community and lifetime sentences means it would be against my
conscience to support this country.
I would urge other companies worldwide to
follow suit. Uganda must reconsider or find it being ostracised by
companies and tourists worldwide.
The Economist published a graphic
showing where homosexuality is illegal in 2013, which makes for
distressing viewing. More than 80 countries worldwide criminalise
homosexuality, with the death penalty in place in five countries and
areas of Nigeria and Somalia.
Governments must realise that people
should be able to love whoever they want. It is not for any government
(or anyone else) to ever make any judgements on people's sexuality. They
should instead celebrate when people build loving relationships that
strengthen society, no matter who they are.
You may recall that Branson, in 2011, spoke out against a similar anti-homosexuality law in Nigeria.
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