Parliament has passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 that will criminalize the act of homosexuality in Uganda.
The Bill as passed will attract a death penalty for persons convicted of aggravated homosexuality, while persons who attempt to commit the offence of homosexuality upon conviction, will face up to 10 years in prison.
The new law also penalizes protection and promotion of homosexuality with legal entities liable for a fine of Shs1 billion for promoting the act.
Reading from Leviticus 18: 22, Laroo-Pece Division MP Charles Onen said homosexuality is distasteful and unjustifiable.
"There is nothing so sweet and so good for a man more than a woman. There should be no reason for a man to run after a man," he said.
State Minister for Defence, Markson Jacob Oboth Oboth said the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023, restores hope for Ugandans and it is a wake-up call that the Penal Code Act that has been in existence for the last 100 years is obsolete.
Erute South MP, Jonathan Odur said the Bill doesn't offend the Constitution but rather promotes and preserves Uganda's cultural values under Article 19 and 24 of the Constitution.
There was a futile attempt by Budama North East MP, Fox Odoi through his minority report to convince MPs to reject the Bill on ground that it is misconceived and contravenes the established international and regional Human Rights standards, thus limiting the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ persons.
"This criminalization also denies them equal protection under the law, owing to the harsh differential treatment they receive based on their sexual orientation and the criminalization of the same," he said. He added that some clauses of the Bill reverse the gains registered in the fight against gender-based violence, especially against women and children.
The bill now awaits the President's assent.
