In a move that has alarmed human rights advocates, Uganda’s parliament has passed a new law that criminalizes mere identification as LGBTQ. The enactment of this law grants the authorities extensive jurisdiction to single out homosexuals in Uganda, who are already subjected to legal bias and brutality from the public. While same-sex relationships are already prohibited in over 30 African nations, including Uganda, this legislation is distinctive in prohibiting identification as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Proponents of the law assert that it is crucial to safeguard traditional beliefs in this conservative and devout East African country. Those who breach the law could face severe consequences, such as capital punishment for acts of “aggravated homosexuality” and lifelong incarceration for engaging in homosexual activity. The bill will now be sent to President Yoweri Museveni for his signature, who has long opposed LGBTQ rights and signed an anti-LGBTQ law in 2013 that was later struck down.
According to Human Rights Watch, a new law passed by Uganda’s parliament on Tuesday makes it illegal to self-identify as LGBTQ, thereby empowering authorities to single out homosexuals who are already victims of legal bias and vigilante attacks. This legislation is the first of its kind to criminalize the mere act of identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
More than 30 African countries, including Uganda, already ban same-sex relations. Supporters of the new law argue that it is necessary to protect traditional values in the conservative and religious East African nation. The legislation also bans promoting and abetting homosexuality as well as conspiracy to engage in homosexuality.
The law stipulates that individuals who contravene it could be subject to stringent penalties, such as capital punishment for “aggravated homosexuality,” and lifelong imprisonment for engaging in gay sexual activity. The law’s definition of aggravated homosexuality includes sexual encounters between individuals below the age of 18 and between a perpetrator who is HIV-positive and their partner, among other circumstances.
Lawmaker David Bahati expressed his support for the bill during the legislative discussion, stating, “Our creator God is happy with what is happening… I endorse the bill to safeguard our children’s future.” Additionally, he emphasized that “this is about the independence of our nation; no one should coerce or bully us.”
The new legislation will be sent to President Yoweri Museveni for his signature, who has long opposed LGBTQ rights and signed an anti-LGBTQ law in 2013 that was later struck down on procedural grounds.
LGBTQ Activists Denounce Extreme Legislation and Clampdown in Uganda
Ugandan LGBTQ activists have denounced the legislation as extreme and draconian. Over the past few weeks, there has been a clampdown on LGBTQ individuals by Ugandan authorities following accusations from religious leaders and politicians that schools were recruiting students into homosexuality. This month, officials arrested a high school teacher in the Jinja district of eastern Uganda on charges of “grooming young girls into unnatural sexual practices.”
International organizations and leaders have also expressed their concerns and urged the Ugandan government to respect the human rights of LGBTQ individuals. The United Nations, the European Union, and the United States have all called on Uganda to repeal these laws and ensure the safety and protection of LGBTQ individuals.
In conclusion, Uganda’s legislation and clampdown on LGBTQ individuals have sparked outrage and condemnation from activists and human rights groups worldwide. The actions taken by the Ugandan government violate the basic human rights of individuals and have led to the arrest of several people. It is crucial to continue advocating for the rights of LGBTQ individuals and fighting against discriminatory laws and policies.
Read more: Uganda passes law to criminalize ‘gay-sex’
