Branson calls for tourist boycott of Uganda over anti-homosexuality laws
Sir Richard Branson is calling on companies and tourists to boycott Uganda in protest against its laws against homosexuality.
He made the appeal on his website page after the Ugandan parliament approved a bill to toughen the punishment for homosexual acts, proposing a life sentence for certain homosexual acts.
The Virgin boss said the "dreadful witch hunt against the gay community and lifetime sentences" meant it would be against his conscience to support the country.
"I would urge other companies worldwide to follow suit. Uganda must reconsider or find it being ostracised by companies and tourists worldwide," he said.
Branson said 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," he said.
"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."
Branson said he had been seriously considering investing in Uganda after being "courted" by government officials, but this decision had changed his mind.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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