Uganda Passes Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, Signalling a Dangerous Precedent
A bill has been passed in Uganda that criminalizes identifying as LGBTQ+, imposing severe penalties such as life imprisonment for engaging in homosexual activities.
The Ugandan parliament's passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill on March 21, 2022, poses a significant threat to basic human rights. This new law goes beyond criminalizing same-sex acts to targeting anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+. Introduced by Asuman Basalirwa, a member of parliament, the bill carries a punishment of up to ten years in prison for anyone who “holds out as a lesbian, gay, transgender, a queer, or any other sexual or gender identity that is contrary to the binary categories of male and female.” The bill further infringes on the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, and association, which are already compromised in Uganda.
The passage of this law is a grave violation of human rights and has sent shockwaves through the international community. It is one of the harshest laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community in the world, prohibiting individuals from "promoting and abetting" homosexuality, as well as conspiring to engage in same-sex relations. Offenders face severe penalties, including life imprisonment for having gay sex and the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality," which includes gay sex with people under the age of 18 or when the perpetrator is HIV positive, among other categories.
What is particularly alarming about this new bill is that it criminalizes people simply for being who they are. This gross violation of basic human rights is unacceptable, especially in the modern era. Even more concerning is that the final version of the Bill makes repeated same-sex sexual acts punishable by death.
The bill was supported by all but two of the parliament's 389 legislators, indicating the government's disregard for basic human rights. However, it will only become law once the President signs it. The international community must pressure the Ugandan government to reject this bill and ensure the safety and protection of the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda. We call on all countries to condemn the Ugandan government’s action and take appropriate measures to hold them accountable for their actions. The passage of this law is particularly alarming given the history of violence and discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda. Gay people in the country already face legal discrimination and mob violence, and this law will only serve to further stigmatize and endanger them.
“One of the most extreme features of this new bill is that it criminalizes people simply for being who they are as well as further infringing on the rights to privacy, and freedoms of expression and association that are already compromised in Uganda.”
Human Rights Watch has already condemned the legislation, calling it a "more egregious version" of a 2014 law that was nullified by a court on procedural grounds. The organization has urged Ugandan politicians to focus on passing laws that protect vulnerable minorities and affirm fundamental rights, rather than targeting the LGBTQ+ community for political gain.
The international community must also speak out against this dangerous law and pressure the Ugandan government to uphold basic human rights. The LGBTQ+ community deserves to live without fear of discrimination or violence, and it is the responsibility of all individuals and governments to ensure that they are afforded these fundamental rights.
Photographer, Miko Guziuk
389 Ugandan MPS voted in favour for the "Anti-Homosexuality" bill. This still punishes homosexuality with imprisonment up to life, but the bill allows homosexuality to be punished by death in some cases. These cases are largely made up of "aggrivated homosexuality," which includes serial offenders, rapists, people with HIV, child rape or consensual sexual intercourse, and people with disabilities. "Attempted Homosexuality" can be met with up to 10 years in prison, while "Attempted aggravated Homosexuality" can be met with up to 14 years. www.equaldex.com
