Uganda announce plans to introduce ‘Kill the Gays’ bill for same-sex relations
The new law will be discussed in parliament on October 28
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Uganda’s Ethics and Integrity Minister has announced plans to introduce a bill imposing the death penalty for same-sex relations.
According to Thomson Reuters, Minister Simon Lokodo announced the plans that will impose the death penalty for ‘promotion and recruitment’ of homosexuality in the East African country in order to curb a rise in ‘unnatural sex’.
Activists believe the bill is to be tabled on October 28, 2019. Same-sex relations have been criminalised since British colonial times and carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The ‘Anti-Homosexuality Act’ was first passed by in the country back in 2013 and signed into law by President Museveni in early 2014.
It was invalidated by the Constitutional Court of Uganda on procedural grounds the same year and now the government plans to reintroduce the ‘Kill the Gays’ law.
Kasha Jacquelin, founder of the Uganda LGBT Community, said: “The timing of the resurrection of the bill is callous – LGBTIQ people are being used as a scapegoat as elections approach.
“Violence against us has escalated in recent months, countless community members have fled, and I fear it will only get worse.
“We urgently need support from the international community if we are to stand up against the witch hunt being launched against us.”
Jessica Stern, Executive Director of OutRight Action International, comments: “Same-sex relations are already criminalized in Uganda, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
“Efforts to impose a death penalty constitute legal overkill, and only serve to increase hate and stigma against LGBTIQ people, putting them at risk not only of government persecution but also vigilante violence.
“More concerning still are Minister Lokodo’s remarks that ‘promotion’ of LGBTIQ issues should also be criminalized to the same extent.
“This is an extremely dangerous addition to the resurfacing anti-homosexuality bill, which would, in essence, put activists in grave danger not only for being LGBTIQ, but also for engaging in any community support, awareness raising or service provision activities.”