The Ugandan parliament passed a law on Tuesday 21 March that further strengthens the criminalisation of homosexuality.
The new text, the content of which has not yet been made public, provides for heavy penalties against people who have homosexual relationships or even claim to be LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer).
Homosexuality in Uganda is already illegal. Anyone convicted of or engaging in homosexual acts can be sentenced to up to ten years in prison. But the parliamentarians have again hardened their tone.
“This House will not hesitate to restrict any right as long as it recognises, protects and safeguards the sovereignty of this country and its morals,” said Parliament Speaker Annet Anita Among at the end of the vote on Tuesday.
However, the new law must be submitted to President Yoweri Museveni, who has the power to enact or reject it. But the position of the Head of State is already known. In a statement on Thursday 16 March, the Ugandan president said that “homosexuals are a deviation from the norm”. He then added that “Western countries should stop wasting humanity’s time by trying to impose their practices on others”. The day after these remarks, on 17 March, the Ugandan police announced the arrest of six men for “homosexual practices” in Jinja, a town about 80 km east of the capital Kampala.
It should be noted that the vote of this law comes in a context where people claiming to be homosexual are subject to arrest and persecution in the country. By enhancing anti-gay legislation, Uganda is joining a trend across the African continent, where many countries are working to enforce stricter laws against homosexuality.
