The Cost of Homophobia, Monetary and Otherwise
Uganda’s 2023 anti-homosexuality act is already costing the country.
Uganda’s 2023 anti-homosexuality act (AHA) was estimated to cost the country 470-million-1.6 billion USD in the year since it was passed. A report by Open for Business found that Uganda’s AHA could cause losses of up to 8.3 billion USD per year. Not only does the AHA tarnish Uganda’s reputation in the eyes of investors and tourists, but it also caused a sharp reduction in international aid.
Uganda’s AHA is not only projected to cost the country 16.85% of its GDP in 5 years, but it will be difficult, if not impossible, to recover from such a loss. Skilled workers are likely to flee due to the AHA, causing a brain drain in this East African country. This can have negative effects on Uganda such as a shortage of essential services and a loss of growth potential. Consistently enforcing the AHA via policing and litigation will also cost hundreds of thousands of USD, causing the country to lose more money.
Repealing the AHA would mitigate the losses that Uganda would suffer from as a result of enforcing this law. It would also restore Uganda’s image in the eyes of other countries and trading partners. By continuing to enforce the AHA, Uganda would continue to face economic losses. The US and EU as well as…
