The Anti-Homosexuality Bill passed by the Ugandan parliament includes a life sentence for "aggravated homosexuality."  An earlier draft imposed the death sentence.  Among those who could be charged with “aggravated homosexuality” are so-called “serial offenders,” and anyone who is HIV-positive and found to have had sexual relations with a person of the same sex – even when such conduct is consensual and protected. 

 

This bill will institutionalise discrimination, hatred and prejudice in law against lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and intersex Ugandans, who are already marginalised. 

 

Other disturbing provisions of the draft bill included criminalising the “promotion” of homosexuality, compelling HIV testing in some circumstances, and imposing life sentences for entering into a same-sex marriage. 

 

The bill would significantly hamper the work of human rights defenders and others who find themselves in conflict with the law merely by carrying out their legitimate activities.

 

President Museveni must demonstrate the Government’s stated commitment to human rights compliant legislation by refusing to assent to this Bill.  

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