Same-sex relations are already illegal in Uganda, as in more than 30 African countries, but the new law goes further. The new law imposes the death penalty on “serial offenders” who break the law and spread a deadly disease like HIV/AIDS through homosexual sex. It also imposes a 20-year prison sentence for “promoting” homosexuality.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Photo: Reuters
“Today, the President of Uganda has legalized homophobia and transphobia...” said Clare Byarugaba, a Ugandan rights activist.
US President Joe Biden called the move a “tragic violation” of human rights and said Washington would assess the law’s impact “on all aspects of the US engagement with Uganda”.
“We are considering additional steps, including imposing sanctions and restricting entry into the United States for anyone involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption,” he said.
In a joint statement, the US's flagship HIV/AIDS program PEPFAR, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said the law puts Uganda's fight against HIV "in jeopardy."
Dominic Arnall, CEO of Open For Business, a coalition of companies including Google and Microsoft, said the group was deeply disappointed and that the law was against the interests of Ugandans.
The UN human rights body said it was "appalled". Uganda's move could encourage lawmakers in neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania to seek similar measures.
“Degrading any type of person, regardless of their gender, and giving them the death penalty based on who they identify as and how they choose to live their lives is something we should all be very ashamed of…” said South African filmmaker Lerato. “We can compare this to apartheid if not worse.”
Mai Anh (according to Reuters)
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