Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed anti-LGBTQ law with harshest punishments for offenders. The anti-LGBTQ law also contain death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” The decision risks aid donations and is drawing criticism from the West.
Every year, Uganda receives billions of dollars in foreign help; yet, as happened with a similar bill nine years ago, the country may potentially experience negative reactions from donors and investors.
The new law, being harsher, marks a distinction with the earlier restrictions on LGBTQ acts. Uganda and over 30 other African nations have put restrictions on same-sex relationships.
For “serial offenders” of the legislation and the spread of a fatal sickness like HIV/AIDS through gay intercourse, it calls for the death penalty. A 20-year sentence is also imposed for “promoting” homosexuality.
Ugandan rights activist Clare Byarugaba said, “The Ugandan president has today legalised state-sponsored homophobia and transphobia.”
78-year-old Yoweri Museveni has called same sex relationships as a “deviation from normal” and has appealed to policy makers that they clamp down on “imperialist” push.
UK government reacts to anti-LGBTQ law
The British government stated on Monday that it was “appalled” by the new anti-homosexuality law passed by the Ugandan government and said that it was adamantly opposed to the death sentence under any circumstances.
An official from the foreign office department named Andrew Mitchell said in a statement that “This legislation undermines the protections and freedoms of all Ugandans enshrined in the Ugandan Constitution.”
He continued, saying “It will increase the risk of violence, discrimination and persecution, will set back the fight against HIV/AIDs, and will damage Uganda’s international reputation,” and interpreted the law as “deeply discriminatory.”
