Following reports that the Ugandan parliament has now passed the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Bill, Pride in London condemns this egregious hatemongering in the strongest terms.
Christopher Joell-Deshields, CEO of Pride in London said: ‘The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni must now use his veto power to ensure this draconian bill does not become law. This is a cruel bill which seeks to criminalise innocent people on the basis of their innate characteristics: their sexual orientation and gender identity.’
The bill introduces capital punishment and life imprisonment for same sex adults in consensual relationships. It further criminalises those who promote or attempt to commit the so-called ‘offence’ of homosexuality.
This bill signifies a steady and an increasing intensity in anti-LGBT+ hate in the country. With provisions that mandate the public to report individuals suspected of entering into same-sex relationships to the authorities, this law will deny people their fundamental human rights, including the right to life, dignity, privacy, freedom from discrimination, among others. The resultant effect is the institutionalisation of discrimination against people based on their real or perceived sexual orientation. The bill also constitutes undue hindrance to the work of health workers and civil society.
There is already a long history of physical and online violence and repression against the LGBT+ community in Uganda. Instead of criminalising LGBT+ people, Pride in London calls on the Ugandan government to enact laws that align with the principles of equality enshrined in the Ugandan constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as other international and regional human rights instruments, to which the country is a signatory.
Pride in London stands in solidarity with the Ugandan LGBT+ community and strongly condemns this draconian bill.
