All eyes on Museveni as parliament passes tough Anti-Homosexual Bill

Uganda’s Parliament has passed a new bill aimed at cracking down on homosexual activities that will see people who identify as gay in the East African county risk life in prison.

The Bill, which has been touted as one of the toughest anti-gay legislation in Africa, also makes it criminal to simply identify as gay.

What Uganda’s Anti-Homosexual Bill says;

• 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 organisations, 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, and distributing 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

Amnesty international termed Uganda’s anti-gay Bill as “repressive” and urged President Yoweri Museveni not to assent it.

“This deeply repressive legislation will institutionalize discrimination, hatred, and prejudice against LGBTI people – including those who are perceived to be LGBTI – and block the legitimate work of civil society, public health professionals, and community leaders,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s director for East and Southern Africa.

The White House has warned Uganda of possible economic repercussions if the new law comes into force.