Uganda in the newly passed anti gay-bill has made it a crime to identify as gay, if passed into law will be the first to outlaw identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ), according to rights group Human Rights Watch. The law will also ban “promoting and abetting” homosexuality as well as “conspiracy
Uganda in the newly passed anti gay-bill has made it a crime to identify as gay, if passed into law will be the first to outlaw identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ), according to rights group Human Rights Watch. The law will also ban “promoting and abetting” homosexuality as well as “conspiracy to engage in homosexuality”.
“This House will not shy to restrict any right to the extent of the House that recognizes, protects and safeguards the sovereignty, morals and culture of this country,” Speaker Among said after the House’s evening vote.
- A person who is convicted of grooming or trafficking children for purposes of engaging them in homosexual activities faces life in prison
- Individuals or institutions which support or fund LGBT rights’ activities or organizations, or publish, broadcast and distribute pro-gay media material and literature, also face prosecution and imprisonment
- Media groups, journalists and publishers face prosecution and imprisonment for publishing, broadcasting, distribution of any content that advocates for gay rights or “promotes homosexuality”
- Death penalty for what is described as “aggravated homosexuality”, that is sexual abuse of a child, a person with disability or vulnerable people, or in cases where a victim of homosexual assault is infected with a life-long illness
- Property owners also face risk of being jailed if their premises are used as a “brothel” for homosexual acts or any other sexual minorities rights’ activities.
In 2014, the parliament passed a bill similar to this which the court rejected on technicality.
The bill passed on Tuesday 21st March, 2023 now awaits president Museveni’s signature to become a law.
Courtesy photo.
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