The LGBTQ community now faces the death penalty in Uganda

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After a chaotic parliamentary debate late into the night, it was clear: Uganda has a new anti-gay law. And that’s the point: homosexuals who are guilty of “serious” crimes risk the death penalty in the worst case.

The MPs did not specify in detail which offenses are included. People who knowingly shelter homosexuals, provide medical care or legal assistance can also be sentenced to a maximum of ten years in prison.

The behavior of parliamentarians during Tuesday’s debate showed how heated the atmosphere is in Uganda. An MP demanded: “Homosexuals must be castrated.” In English, this can mean both to sterilize and castrate homosexuals. Fox Odoi-Oywelowo, one of the few MPs to criticize the law, was berated by his colleagues. An earlier version of the law did not provide for the death penalty, but a clause was added during the parliamentary debate.

“Fear and danger” for transgender people

Incitement to hatred against homosexuals is the order of the day in the East African country with a population of about 45 million. Religious and political leaders sometimes outdo each other with homophobic statements – long before the law came along. Although anti-gay laws are already in place, the new law is even more drastic for privacy.

Sam Ganafa, leader of Ugandan gay rights group Spectrum, is now calling on members of the LGBTQ community to be careful: “Everyone is calling for our persecution. Members of the Muslim faith are even calling for our death.” Gays and lesbians are already losing their jobs or are homeless because landlords are sending them away. Now the attacks would increase. The English abbreviation LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans people and queer people.

“With this law, we have no choice but fear and danger. The best way is to leave this country,” a 23-year-old trans woman told dpa on Wednesday. Two weeks ago, she was attacked by a group of teenagers who threatened to remove her testicles to “make her a real woman”.

Human Rights Watch criticizes the law

The law will come into effect only after it is signed by Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s longtime president. However, the 78-year-old has already expressed his good will in the run-up to the farewell. Museveni had vetoed previous laws, such as 2021, because he feared criticism from the West. A 2013 law, which also provided for the death penalty, was overturned by Uganda’s highest court due to a procedural error.

Criticism from abroad came from Human Rights Watch and UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk, who described the law as one of the “worst of its kind in the world”.

The climate for gays and lesbians has also deteriorated recently in other East African countries. Kenyan President William Ruto, a self-declared Christian, said in early March that there was no place for homosexuality in his country. Homosexuals face prison sentences in almost all East African countries, and even the death penalty in Somalia.

In Africa as a whole, Christian or Muslim beliefs are still very important. Many people think that homosexuality does not fit with traditional morality. In addition, African politicians have repeatedly argued that homosexuality is a Western ideology that should be forced upon Africa. (SDA)

Source: Blick