With Harsh Anti-L.G.B.T.Q. Law, Uganda Risks a Health Crisis

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The country had made great progress against H.I.V. Now terrified patients have fled clinics, and experts fear a resurgence.

For decades, Uganda’s campaign against H.I.V. was exemplary, slashing the country’s death rate by nearly 90 percent from 1990 to 2019. Now a sweeping law enacted last year, the Anti-Homosexuality Act, threatens to renew the epidemic as L.G.B.T.Q. citizens are denied, or are too afraid to seek out, necessary medical care.

The law criminalizes consensual sex between same-sex adults. It also requires all citizens to report anyone suspected of such activity, a mandate that makes no exceptions for health care providers tending to patients.

Under the law, merely having same-sex relationships while living with H.I.V. can incur a charge of “aggravated homosexuality,” which is punishable by death.

Anyone who “knowingly promotes homosexuality” — by hiring or housing an L.G.B.T.Q. person, or by not reporting one to the police — faces up to 20 years in jail. Scores of Ugandans have been evicted from homes and fired from jobs, according to interviews with lawyers and activists. » | Apoorva Mandavilli Photographs by Esther Ruth Mbabazi | Friday, January 19, 2024

Ugandan Man Charged with ‘Aggravated Homosexuality’ under New Law

THE GUARDIAN: Twenty-year-old could face death penalty after anti-LGBTQ+ legislation was introduced this year

Peter Tatchell (centre) and other demonstrators hold a sign in solidarity with LGBTQ+ people in Uganda during Pride in London in July. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Getty Images for Pride In London
Ugandan prosecutors have charged a man with “aggravated homosexuality” under anti-LGBTQ+ legislation introduced this year that makes the offence punishable by death.

The law – considered one of the harshest of its kind in the world – also includes penalties for consensual same-sex relations of up to life in prison.

The suspect “was charged in Soroti [in eastern Uganda] and he is on remand in prison. He will be appearing in court for mention of the case,” said Jacquelyn Okui, a spokesperson for Uganda’s directorate of public prosecutions.

According to the charge sheet, the 20-year-old suspect was charged on 18 August and is accused of “unlawful sexual intercourse with … [a] male adult aged 41”.

“Statement of offence: aggravated homosexuality contrary to … Anti-homosexuality Act 2023,” the charge sheet said. » | Agence France-Presse in Kampala | Tuesday, August 29, 2023

This is both OUTRAGEOUS and BARBARIC! There’s not a whiff of Christianity in either the benighted law or the cruel verdict. – © Mark Alexander

Life in Prison for Saying You’re Gay in Uganda

Even identifying as gay in Uganda can get you locked up! Cruelty is as cruelty does.

'Punishable by Death': Uganda's New Violent Anti-gay Law | About That

Jun 12, 2023 | Uganda passed one of the strictest anti-homosexuality laws on the planet. Andrew Chang looks into how this law came to be and how the international community is reacting.

The Observer View on Uganda’s Anti-gay Laws: Grotesque, Legalised Bigotry

THE OBSERVER – EDITORIAL: Yoweri Museveni has introduced the death penalty for homosexual acts, but his legislation threatens more than the people it demonises

‘Homophobia is sadly prevalent among Uganda’s elite’. Above, the president, Yoweri Museveni. Photograph: Abubaker Lubowa/Reuters
Uganda is one of the youngest and fastest growing countries in the world. Nearly half of its 45 million-strong population in 2020 were under 14. Roughly 75% were under 30. Total numbers are projected to grow to 141 million by 2065. Against this extraordinarily fecund demographic backdrop, fears expressed by its president, Yoweri Museveni, that homosexuality threatens the “procreation of the human race” appear absurdly and offensively misplaced.

Museveni, 78, cannot be counted among these new Ugandan generations. He has been in charge since 1986, having seized power in a violent coup. In 2005, he agreed to the creation of a multi-party democracy, but his authoritarian grip on the country has never relaxed. Corruption and intimidation of political opponents are rife. Vote-fixing and fraud have marred successive elections, according to the UK, EU and US. » | Observer editorial | Sunday, June 4, 2023

Archbishop of Canterbury Urges Ugandan Church to Reject Deadly Anti-gay Law

PINK NEWS: The Archbishop of Canterbury has expressed his “grief and dismay” at a Ugandan law banning homosexuality in a letter urging Church officials in the country to reject it.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has rejected Uganda’s Anti-Homosexual Activity law, and is calling for Anglican Ugandans to oppose the bill. (Getty)
Lead bishop Justin Welby wrote to Ugandan Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba on Friday (9 June) publicly condemning Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act.

“I make this public statement with sorrow, and with continuing prayers for reconciliation between our churches and across the Anglican Communion,” Welby wrote.

“I am deeply aware of the history of colonial rule in Uganda, so heroically resisted by its people.

“But this is not about imposing Western values on our Ugandan Anglican sisters and brothers. It is about reminding them of the commitments we have made as Anglicans to treat every person with the care and respect they deserve as children of God.” » | Amelia Hansford | Friday, June 9, 2023

Anti-LGBTQ+ Law in Uganda That Threatens the Death Penalty Sparks International Outcry

May 31, 2023 | Uganda just enacted one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Same-sex relations were already illegal there, but the new law goes much further, including life imprisonment for anyone convicted of homosexuality and in some cases mandates the death penalty. The draconian provisions upended the lives of queer Ugandans who now feel in danger. Stephanie Sy discussed the law with Steven Kabuye.

Uganda's Museveni Defends Anti-LGBTQ Law

Jun 1, 2023 | Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni defended signing one of the world's harshest anti-LGBTQ laws, saying it was needed to prevent LGBTQ community members from ‘recruiting’ others.

Ugandan Rights Activist: US Conservatives Exported Anti-LGBTQ Hate That Led to "Kill the Gays" Law

May 31, 2023 | We go to Kampala, Uganda, to discuss the impact of one of the most draconian anti-LGBTQ laws in the world, just signed by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The new law makes same-sex relationships punishable by life imprisonment. Some LGBTQ people could receive the death sentence. Homophobia in Uganda is heavily influenced by American evangelists, who function as “exporters of hate,” notes Pepe Onziema, a Ugandan human rights activist, causing LGBTQ Ugandans to “end up as collateral damage.”

International Condemnation of Ugandan Anti-LGBTQ Bill | DW News

May 30, 2023 | The new law in Uganda contains a provision that would punish "aggravated homosexuality" with the death penalty. The legislation has been met with broad international condemnation.

Uganda’s President Approves Tough New Anti-LGBTQ Law

May 30, 2023 | Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has imposed one of the world's harshest laws against LGBTQ people, sparking condemnation from human rights activists and several foreign governments. Those convicted of same-sex relationships could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Uganda's President Museveni Approves Tough New Anti-gay Law

BBC: Uganda's progress in tackling HIV is in "grave jeopardy" after the president approved tough new anti-homosexuality legislation, the UN and US have warned.

An increasing number of people are being discouraged from seeking vital health services for fear of attacks and punishment, they added.

President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law after parliament watered it down.

It is still among the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world.

Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda but now anyone convicted faces life imprisonment.

The legislation imposes the death penalty for so-called aggravated cases, which include having gay sex with someone below the age of 18 or where someone is infected with a life-long illness including HIV. » | BBC | Monday, May 29, 2023

Where Do LGBTQ People Have Reason to Fear for Their Lives the Most? | DW News

May 17, 2023 | Despite widespread international condemnation, Uganda's parliament has this week passed an amended version of a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill. The first draft was rejected by the President in March - but if he signs this watered down version into law it could see some same sex acts punishable by the death penalty. For Uganda's existing LGBTQ community the debate surrounding the bill has already left many fearing for their lives and questioning whether they need to flee the country.

Events are taking place around the world to mark the International Day against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. Organisers say the rights of LGBTQ people are increasingly at risk in some places. While many countries HAVE passed legislation recognizing the rights of transgender people or same-sex parents, others are rolling back protections. Protests have taken place across the United States, where campaigners say hundreds of new laws have been passed which attack the rights of LGBTQ people.

UK Government Told to Give LGBTQ+ Ugandans Safe Asylum Route as Anti-Homosexuality Bill Looms

PINK NEWS: Politicians and charities are calling on the UK government to create a safe and legal route for LGBTQ+ people fleeing Uganda over the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak. (Getty)
Uganda’s parliament passed the anti-LGBTQ+ bill for a second time on Tuesday (2 May), removing a provision that would have made it illegal to simply identify as LGBTQ+.

It remains a deeply troubling piece of legislation designed to persecute the community. Within its clauses is the introduction of the death penalty for the crime of “aggravated homosexuality” – ostensibly said to mean having sex with a minor, having sex while HIV positive or engaging in incest.

With the bill now awaiting president Yoweri Museveni’s signature, the lack of safe asylum routes for LGBTQ+ Ugandans is an urgent issue.

“The Anti-Homosexuality Bill will mean that Uganda has among the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the world, and violent attacks on LGBTQ+ Ugandans are likely to increase in its wake,” Labour MP Nadia Whittome told PinkNews.

“The UK government must urge Uganda’s president to veto the bill and create safe routes for LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing persecution to rebuild their lives in the UK.” » | Patrick Kelleher | Friday, May 5, 2023

Full Interview: Frank Mugisha on New Anti-LGBTQ Bill in Uganda That Could Impose Death Penalty

WIKIPEDIA: Scott Lively.

Gay Activist Says Uganda LGBTQ Community 'in Shock' at New Law • FRANCE 24 English

Mar 23, 2023 | Members of Uganda's LGBTQ community are in shock and fear being arrested after parliament passed a new law that makes it a crime to identify as gay, and imposes tough sentences that include the death penalty in certain cases, an activist said on Wednesday. The "Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023" was passed with a near-unanimous majority by lawmakers in the east African country where anti-gay sentiment runs deep.

The World's Worst Place To Be Gay | 2012

Uganda Drafts New Anti-gay Laws

THE GUARDIAN: Politicians want seven-year prison term for ‘promotion’ of homosexuality, according to leaked copy

The Ugandan government could introduce new wide-reaching anti-gay laws before the end of the year, which could see people jailed for up to seven years for “promoting homosexuality”, activists warned on Saturday.

The move comes nearly a year after Ugandan politicians passed legislation that could have imposed life sentences on gays. The bill was struck down by the constitutional court on a technicality.

According to a leaked copy of the new draft law, MPs have instead focused on outlawing the “promotion” of homosexuality – a potentially far more repressive and wide-reaching measure.

Frank Mugisha, a gay-rights activist, said: “People don’t realise that the ‘promotion’ part of it will affect everybody. If newspapers report about homosexuality it could be seen as promotion. My Twitter account could be seen as promotion. All human rights groups that include LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender] rights defence in their activities could be accused of promotion.”

According to the draft, anyone convicted of “promoting” homosexuality would be liable to seven years in prison. “We have confirmed that the draft comes from the cabinet. Their plan is to present it to parliament as soon as possible, before the end of the year,” Mugisha said. » | Chris Johnston and agencies | Saturday, November 08, 2014

Keep Your Gays and Keep Your Aid, Uganda Tells the West

Supporters celebrate after Uganda's President Museveni signed
a law imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality in Kampala

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Uganda's ethics minister defends anti-homosexuality law and is indifferent about the withdrawal of Western aid to the country

Uganda is willing to give up all international aid to keep its new anti-homosexuality law and “save gays from damnation”, its ethics minister said as the World Bank followed other donors and froze a £60 million new loan to the country.

“We will not shy away from this, we want to rid this country of homosexuality and if that means these people - Obama, Hague, you name them - want to stop their aid then let them,” Simon Lokodo told The Telegraph.

“We don’t need it, we won’t die poor, and we will at least be able to save these gays from damnation.

“Homosexuality cannot be accommodated in our culture. We have taken that position as a government because this is a democracy and it is what the people want.”

Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s president of 28 years, signed the new Anti-Homosexuality Act into law on Monday, immediately prompting outrage from Western nations. » | Mike Pflanz, Kampala | Friday, February 28, 2014

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni Signs Anti-gay Bill

BBC: Uganda's president has signed into law a bill toughening penalties for gay people and criminalising those who do not report them.

At the signing of the law, Yoweri Museveni claimed that "since nature is the main cause of homosexuality, then society can do something about it to discourage the trend".

US President Barack Obama has cautioned the bill would be a backward step. (+ BBC video) » | Monday, February 24, 2014