All but two of the country’s 389 legislators voted for the Bill…
The Irish Times: By Samuel Okiror In Kampala – MPs in Uganda have passed an anti-LGBTQ+ Bill that would make homosexual acts punishable by death, attracting strong condemnation from rights campaigners.
All but two of the 389 legislators 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”.
“A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality and is liable, on conviction to suffer death,” reads the Bill presented by Robina Rwakoojo, the chairperson for legal and parliamentary affairs.
Just two MPs from the ruling party, Fox Odoi-Oywelowo and Paul Kwizera Bucyana, opposed the new legislation.
“The Bill is ill-conceived, it contains provisions that are unconstitutional, reverses the gains registered in the fight against gender-based violence and criminalises individuals instead of conduct that contravenes all known legal norms,” said Mr Odoi-Oywelowo.
“The Bill doesn’t introduce any value addition to the statute book and available legislative framework,” he said.
An earlier version of the Bill prompted widespread international criticism and was later nullified by Uganda’s constitutional court on procedural grounds.
The Bill will now go to President Yoweri Museveni, who can veto or sign it into law. In a recent speech he appeared to express support for the Bill.
Mr Museveni last month said Uganda will not embrace homosexuality, claiming that the West was seeking to compel other countries to “normalise” what he called “deviations”.
One MP in the chamber, John Musila, wore a gown reading: “Say No To Homosexual, Lesbianism, Gay.”
The Bill marks the latest in a string of setbacks for LGBTQ+rights in Africa, where homosexuality is illegal in most countries. In Uganda, a largely conservative Christian country, homosexual sex was already punishable by life imprisonment.
Human rights campaigners have condemned the new move to enact the harsh law, describing it as “hate legislation”.
“Today marks a tragic day in Uganda’s history. @Parliament_Ug has passed legislation that promotes hatred and seeks to strip LGBTIQ individuals of their fundamental rights!” tweeted Sarah Kasande, a Kampala-based lawyer and human rights activist.
“The provisions of the anti-homosexuality Bill are barbaric, discriminatory and unconstitutional,” she said.
She added: “To the LGBTIQ community, I know this is a difficult day, but please don’t lose hope. The battle is not over; this repugnant Bill will ultimately be struck down.” – Guardian
Top Feature Photo: A Ugandan transgender woman watches a TV showing parliament discussing its anti-gay Bill. Photograph: STUART TIBAWESWA/AFP via Getty Images
