Africa is the very worse continent when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. Being gay is only legal in 22 of the 55 countries, and being trans is legal in just 4 of them. As other regions of the world tread slowly in improving queer rights, African countries like Uganda are hell-bent on making them much worse.
This week all but two of the 389 legislators in the Uganda Parliament voted late on Tuesday for the hardline anti-homosexuality bill, which introduces capital and life imprisonment sentences for gay sex and “recruitment, promotion and funding” of same-sex “activities”. The new law states “A person who commits the offense of aggravated homosexuality and is liable, on conviction to suffer death,”
The bill marks the latest in a string of setbacks for LGBTQ+ rights in Africa, and in Uganda, a largely conservative Christian country, homosexual sex was already punishable by life imprisonment.
“The provisions of the anti-homosexuality bill are barbaric, discriminatory and unconstitutional,” said Sarah Kasande, a Kampala-based lawyer and human rights activist. She added “Today marks a tragic day in Uganda’s history
Gay activist Eric Ndawula tweeted: “Today’s events in parliament are not just immoral, but a complete assault on humanity. It’s frightening that our MPs’ judgment is clouded by hate & homophobia. Who benefits from this draconian law?”
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Labels: 2023, death sentence, homosexuality illegal, new law, Uganda
