Uganda’s parliament passed a law that makes it illegal to identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Ugandans found to be gay can face life in prison too. Or even the death penalty. In addition to this; friends, family or community members are encouraged to report individuals in same-sex relationships to the authorities.

It passed with great support in Uganda’s parliament this week.

This bill is proving to be one of the toughest pieces of anti-gay law in Africa, carrying such heavy consequences.

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The 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Bill reinforces an existing punishment of life imprisonment for same-sex conduct. The prison sentence for an attempt at same-sex conduct to 10 years. But one of its most severe rulings – is for what the bill calls ‘aggravated homosexuality’ – is the application of the death penalty. This includes ‘serial offenders’ or for people having same-sex relations with a disabled person.

Will Uganda’s president approve this new bill?

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has 30 days to approve or reject the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Mutasingwa Kagyenyi, a member of the Uganda parliament and a co-writer of the bill, says the new law will ‘protect children from homosexuality’ reports OkayAfrica:

We want to shape the future of our children by protecting them from homosexuality…Sexual relations are between a man and woman. Those are our cherished values and culture, and we shall protect them jealously

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s director for East and Southern Africa, calls the new anti-gay law as ‘appalling’ and ‘vaguely worded’ reports the BBC:

This deeply repressive legislation will institutionalise discrimination, hatred, and prejudice against LGBTI people – including those who are perceived to be LGBTI – and block the legitimate work of civil society, public health professionals, and community leaders

The East African county has a long history of passing strict laws against homosexuality. In 2014, it passed a law that allowed life imprisonment for ‘aggravated homosexuality’. However, Western donors then stopped aid payments – unless revoked. The constitutional court judged that the law passed without the necessary number of people present. And so they recalled the law.

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The law includes elements like:

• Life imprisonment for people guilty of grooming or trafficking children for homosexual activities.
• Prosecution and imprisonment for people or organisations that support or fund LGBTQ+ activities. This includes publishing or sharing content that support gay rights or ‘promotes homosexuality’.
• Property owners risk being jailed if their premises are used as a ‘brothel’ for homosexual acts.
• Media groups and journalists face prosecution or imprisonment for distributing content that advocates gay rights or ‘promotes homosexuality’.

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