President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 into law on May 29, 2023. This law imposes severe penalties for homosexuality, including:
Death Penalty: For “aggravated homosexuality,” which includes sex acts committed without consent, under duress, against children, people with mental or physical disabilities, or involving incest.
Life Imprisonment: For individuals convicted of same-sex acts.
10-Year Prison Sentence: For attempted same-sex conduct.
20-Year Prison Sentence: For anyone advocating for the rights of LGBT people, including representatives of human rights organizations or those providing financial support.
The law has sparked international condemnation, with human rights organizations criticizing its violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, association, privacy, equality, and non-discrimination. Uganda’s government has faced pressure from Western donors, who have threatened to cut funding if the bill is signed into law. This is particularly concerning, given that Uganda receives significant funding from organizations like USAID, UNAIDS, and PEPFAR to support HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.
The law’s implications are far-reaching, potentially exacerbating violence and discrimination against LGBT individuals in Uganda, who already face significant challenges in accessing healthcare, employment, and other basic rights. Human rights organizations continue to call on the Ugandan government to respect its international human rights obligations and protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
