Uganda has approved some of the world's harshest anti-gay laws, with some crimes now punishable by death and imposing up to 20 years in prison for people identifying as LGBTQ+.
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| Uganda Passes a New Law Criminalizing LGBTQ+ People and Same-sex Relations |
WA International: On Tuesday, Ugandan lawmakers approved some of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world. The new legislation, known as the Anti Homosexuality Bill 2023, targets a wide range of activities and makes certain crimes punishable by death. It also imposes up to 20 years in prison for people identifying as LGBTQ+.
The bill constitutes a further crackdown on LGBTQ+ people in Uganda, where same-sex relations were already illegal and punishable by life imprisonment. The legislation includes a ban on promoting and abetting homosexuality, as well as conspiracy to engage in homosexuality. It broadens the definition of "aggravated homosexuality" to describe sex acts committed without consent or under duress, against children, people with mental or physical disabilities, by a "serial offender," or involving incest.
Under the new law, the death penalty can be invoked for cases involving "aggravated homosexuality." The bill was presented by the chairperson for legal and parliamentary affairs, Robina Rwakoojo, and was introduced to parliament by opposition lawmaker Asuman Basalirwa.
Basalirwa said the bill aimed to "protect our church culture; the legal, religious and traditional family values of Ugandans from the acts that are likely to promote sexual promiscuity in this country." The objective of the bill, according to Basalirwa, was to establish comprehensive and enhanced legislation to protect traditional family values, diverse culture, and faiths, by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex and the promotion or recognition of sexual relations between persons of the same sex.
The move has been met with criticism from human rights groups, who have condemned the legislation and called for its repeal. They argue that the bill violates the human rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and threatens to further marginalize an already vulnerable community.
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