Despair as Uganda passes Anti-Homosexuality Bill again

Defiant lawmakers in Uganda have passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill for the second time, with only minimal changes to its inhumane and extreme penaltie

On Tuesday, MPs debated and passed the bill again after making relatively minor changes. Speaker Anita Among urged lawmakers to refuse to bow to international condemnation of the bill and threats of economic repercussions.

According to the website of Uganda’s Parliament, amendments were made to five clauses. Among the changes, the bill was amended to only criminalise homosexual acts and not an LGBTQ+ person’s identity, sexuality, or appearance.

The provision to jail people for not reporting a person who has committed homosexual acts was revised to only criminalise not reporting homosexual acts committed against children and vulnerable persons.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, however, retained its most severe penalties of life in prison for engaging in a homosexual sexual act, the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality (e.g. serial “offenders”), and 20 years in prison for the “promotion” of homosexuality.

The bill will now be sent back to President Museveni’s desk for his signature.

Mamba 02-05-2022 Despair as Uganda passes Anti-Homosexuality Bill again