Gay rights activists on Friday criticised a European Union announcement this week that it would not cut funding to Uganda over a harsh anti-LGBTQ law enacted in May. In a written statement to the European parliament issued on Wednesday, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said suspending financial aid to Uganda over the law, which prescribes the death penalty for certain same-sex acts, would deprive vulnerable populations of vital support. “Disengagement by the EU would also create gaps which may be further filled by other players who do not share EU values,” she added. The EU is one of Uganda’s biggest donors, funding infrastructure projects, health programmes and food assistance.