Uganda is in the limelight for recently passing what has been termed as the world’s toughest anti-LGBTQ laws. As we have it, Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-gay Bill into law on Monday the 21 of April, 2023 attracting censure by the international community and human rights activists. Discussed is what the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality law provides and its dire punishments.
The now-passed Anti-Homosexuality Act, of 2023 deprives members of the LGBTQ community freedom of speech and LGBTQ civil rights aside from the serious death sentence if caught.
Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Law, 8 harsh penalties
The new law prohibits any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex and prescribes tougher penalties with offenders set to face a 20-year jail sentence for promoting LGBTQ.
However, activists in Uganda have vowed to challenge the Act against the law.
Latest reports further reveal that 11 petitioners including individuals and Human Rights Activists from Uganda have already moved to court challenging the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.
Below are some of the harsh penalties in the new Act.
- A person convicted of aggravated homosexuality – death
- Person who commits the offence of homosexuality – 20 years
- Person recruiting children into homosexuality – 20 years
- Person who has committed the attempt aggravated homosexuality – 14 years
- Person who has been convicted of attempted homosexuality – 10 years
- The owner of the premises that promote homosexuality – 10 years
- Child found guilty of homosexuality – 3 years
- Media houses that publish materials that promote homosexuality- Fine 1bn & license revoked for 10 years
US President Slams Uganda’s Anti- LGBTQ law, threatens sanctions
In reaction to the enacted bill, Joe Biden through a statement shared on the White House’s website condemned the law terming it as a violation of universal human rights.
“The dangers posed by this democratic backsliding are a threat to everyone residing in Uganda, including U.S. government personnel, the staff of our implementing partners, tourists, members of the business community, and others.”
President Joe Biden.
Biden’s statements further stated a directive to evaluate U.S. engagement with Uganda in service delivery of U.S. President’s Emergency AIDS Relief.
The signing of the Uganda Anti-Homosexual law has caused tension among the global LGBTQ community. Nevertheless, the Ugandan gay community will have to slip through the cracks even as their fate hung on the 11 petitioners and the international community.
