The campaign for LGBTQ rights in Uganda may soon get much harder

https://76crimes.com/2023/04/19/ugandan-lgbtq-activist-readies-for-the-fight-of-his-life/

#LGBT #LGBTrights #LGBTQ #humanrights #LGBTQrights #Uganda #AntiGayBill @SMUG2004 @frankmugisha

Homophobic U.S. Christians keep pushing to create a hell for gay Ugandans.

https://76crimes.com/2023/04/14/u-s-christians-keep-boosting-homophobic-backers-of-ugandan-kill-the-gays-bill/

#LGBT #LGBTrights #LGBTQ #humanrights #LGBTQrights #Uganda #TheFamily #AntiGayBill #Bahati #PrayerBreakfast #NPB

Human race depends on gay people procreating, Uganda president claims.

https://76crimes.com/2023/04/10/museveni-boosts-african-anti-gay-campaign-despite-inaction-on-ugandan-bill/

#LGBT #LGBTrights #LGBTQ #humanrights #LGBTQrights #Uganda #Museveni #M7 #AntiGayBill

Uganda: Anti-gay bill hasn't been signed; it's already running into trouble.

https://76crimes.com/2023/03/26/ugandan-journalist-vows-court-challenge-of-anti-gay-bill/

#LGBT #LGBTrights #LGBTQ #LGBTQrights #Uganda #Museveni #M7 #AntiGayBill

Here's an analysis by the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) of Uganda:

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As HRAPF, we believe this is the right time for partners, both here and outside Uganda including other governments and UN agencies to speak out against the Bill - privately or otherwise. I know there are fears that this may be regarded as evidence of western hegemony etc. but in our opinion, partners should be able to stand up for what they believe in, and there is no better time than now, when we can still debate these issues.

Follow this link for the analysis - https://hrapf.org/?mdocs-file=11231

Essentially HRAPF's position can be summarised as follows:

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 is:

1. Unconstitutional because its provisions criminalising consensual same-sex relations among adults, introducing the ‘homosexual panic’ defence, and those seeking to criminalise ‘aiding and abetting’ as well as ‘promotion of homosexuality’ and the overall spirit of the Bill contravene the constitutional protections of the rights to: equality and freedom from discrimination; privacy; dignity and freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment; right to a fair hearing, freedom of expression, religion, conscience and association, liberty, and health. The state in enacting such a law would be in contravention of its obligations to respect, fulfill and protect human rights under the Constitution and under international law. These rights as they relate to sexual minorities have already been established by Uganda’s High Court in the cases of Victor Mukasa & Another vs. Attorney General (2008), and Kasha Jacqueline, Pepe Onziema & David Kato v. Giles Muhame and The Rolling Stone Publications Ltd (2011).

2. Redundant because it replicates existing provisions. Most importantly:
- Homosexuality is already criminalised under the ‘unnatural offences’ provisions of Section 145 of the Penal Code Act of Uganda Cap 120.
- Sex with children under the age of 18, whether girls or boys, is already criminalised under the 2007 amendment to the Penal Code Act and punishable with a higher punishment than that proposed in the Bill.
- Aggravated homosexuality has the same punishment as homosexuality, and attempted aggravated homosexuality has the same punishment as aggravated homosexuality.
- All the other provisions essentially exist under the Penal Code and other laws.

3. Retrogressive because it provides for lesser punishments for non-consensual same-sex relations compared to those in existing laws. For example, 'defilement' of children is punishable by death and yet the Bill proposes ten years imprisonment for ‘aggravated homosexuality’ which includes sex with persons below 18 years.

It will also worsen the HIV situation in Uganda as it would deny LGBTIQ+ persons who are key populations access to HIV services as it criminalises ‘promotion of homosexuality.’

In terms of timelines, the Speaker seems to be determined to pass the Bill as soon as possible (EDIT: the bill was passed by the Parliament on March 21st). The President, who has 30 days within which to sign or send it back to Parliament for review. Eventually, if the Bill goes to the President for the third time and they do not sign it, Parliament can pass the Bill with a two thirds majority. The process usually does not take less than two months. As such, if the procedure is expedited as the Speaker seems to indicate, it could be an Act of Parliament by the end of April or mid May 2023 or even earlier, depending on the parties involved, and how much they prioritise this.

#Uganda #HumanRights #lgbtq #lgbt #lgbtqia #AntiGayBill #Africa