PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has signed into law a new and highly contentious anti-gay legislation, which has drawn support from many within the country but faced strong condemnation from human rights activists and international communities.
The revised version of the bill, signed by President Museveni, no longer criminalises individuals based on their sexual orientation, a crucial concern for campaigners who fiercely opposed an earlier draft as a severe violation of human rights. However, the new law still stipulates the death penalty for ‘aggravated homosexuality,’ which encompasses cases involving individuals infected with HIV, as well as those involving minors and other vulnerable groups.
According to the legislation, suspects convicted of ‘attempted aggravated homosexuality’ can face imprisonment for up to 14 years. Parliamentary Speaker Anita Among hailed the president’s decision, stating in a released statement that he had ‘responded to the pleas of our people’ by signing the bill. She further expressed gratitude to fellow Members of Parliament for resisting pressure and standing up for the country’s interests.
President Museveni had previously returned the bill to the national assembly in April, seeking amendments to distinguish between LGBTQ identification and engaging in homosexual acts. This move angered some lawmakers, including those who feared that the president might ultimately veto the bill due to international pressure. In response, lawmakers passed an amended version of the bill in early May.
Uganda already criminalised homosexuality under a colonial-era law that penalises sexual activity ‘against the order of nature’ with life imprisonment.
The United States has voiced concerns over the legislation, warning of potential economic consequences. Amnesty International described the law as ‘draconian and overly broad.’ In a joint statement, leaders of the UN AIDS programme, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and the Global Fund expressed deep concerns about the legislation’s detrimental impact on public health and the fight against HIV.
The statement emphasised that Uganda’s progress in combating HIV now faces significant jeopardy. It noted that the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 has already led to reduced access to prevention and treatment services for LGBTQ individuals, further exacerbating stigma and discrimination.
Recent news reports alleging instances of sodomy in boarding schools, including a prestigious boys’ institution where a teacher was accused of abusing a student, have fuelled a rise in anti-gay sentiment within Uganda. Additionally, the decision by the Church of England’s national assembly to continue banning same-sex church weddings while allowing priests to bless same-sex marriages and civil partnerships has sparked outrage among many in Uganda and across Africa.
Homosexuality remains criminalised in more than 30 out of Africa’s 54 countries, with some perceiving it as an imported behaviour rather than a sexual orientation. As Uganda enforces its controversial anti-gay law, international condemnation and concern over human rights violations continue to mount.
