Ouganda : Life sentences for the ’crime’ of homosexuality

It’s already a crime to be gay in Uganda. Adults found to have had same-sex relationships currently face seven years in prison.

But this Bill builds on existing laws and goes even further to criminalise LGBTI individuals - lengthening sentences for adults found ’guilty’ of same-sex relationships, and extending punishments to people involved in ’promoting’ homosexuality. Under the Anti-Homosexual Bill, anyone found guilty of same-sex relations would automatically be sentenced to a lifetime behind bars.

The full text of the Bill has yet to be published. Based on draft versions, if passed it is likely that Uganda will

– •Sentence anyone suspected of same-sex relations to life in prison
– •Punish anyone associated with ’promoting’ LGBTI activities - for example, health workers conducting HIV tests or offering advice, or activists championing LGBTI rights
– •Punish anyone who fails to report violations of the Ant-Homosexuality Bill to authorities within 24 hours of the event.
According to the Ugandan Parliament, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

’seeks to establish a comprehensive consolidated legislation to protect the traditional family by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex ; and the promotion or recognition of such sexual relations in public institutions and other places through or with the support of any government entity in Uganda or any other non governmental organization inside or outside the country.’

One step away from becoming law

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill was first introduced as a Private Members’ Bill in 2009. It has appeared before Uganda’s Parliament repeatedly over the past few years. Earlier editions proposed that in some cases, same-sex relations should be punishable by death. The latest edition of the Bill has replaced the death penalty recommendation with life imprisonment.

On 20 December 2013 the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was once again tabled - and this time passed within minutes by a majority of MPs.

The President alone can stop the Bill

Now that the Bill has been passed by Parliament, it has gone to President Museveni who must either sign or veto it by the end of January 2014. If Museveni signs the Bill, it becomes law. If he vetoes the Bill, it returns to Parliament for another vote.

If the President fails to veto or assent within the 30 days of the Bill being passed by Parliament it will automatically become law. It’s vital that we ask the President to use his power to uphold human rights and veto the Bill.