According to Among, “the law was adopted in record time”. Although the exactness of the sentences is unknown up to now, the initial text, later modified by the deputies, provided for sentences of up to 10 years for any person who carried out acts considered homosexual or claimed to be part of the LGBT+ community, in a country where homosexuality is already illegal.
The president of the Chamber referred to the elimination of rights with the aim of “protecting” the nation: “This Chamber will not hesitate to restrict any right to the extent that it recognizes, protects, and safeguards the sovereignty of this country and its moral”.
The law must finally be sanctioned by the president Yoweri Museveni, who can promulgate it or impose its veto in case of not agreeing with what is sanctioned by the deputies.
The approval is given in a context of full homophobia in East Africawhere homosexuality is illegal and often considered a crime.
The outlook for the future seems complicated: the president, from power in 1986, last week called gay people “deviant”. A few days later the Ugandan police arrested six people for “homosexual practice”.
Uganda is characterized by its strict anti-homosexuality legislation, because it inherited the British colonial laws. However, since its independence in 1962 there have been no convictions for sexual practices between people of the same gender.
In 2014, the Ugandan court blocked a law that sought the implementation of life imprisonment for homosexual relationships.
The United States spoke out against homophobia in Uganda
The United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkenset an official position and urged the government of Uganda to back down with the homophobic initiative: “the Anti-Homosexuality Act passed by the Parliament of Uganda would undermine the fundamental human rights of all Ugandans and could reverse gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”
“We urge the Ugandan government to strongly reconsider the implementation of this legislation,” he added through his Twitter account.
Source: Ambito