Uganda Parliament Passes Bill Banning Identifying As Gay

Individuals could face lengthy prison terms if the bill is signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni

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Uganda lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill that criminalises people who identify as gay, or a sexual minority. Individuals could face lengthy prison terms if the bill is signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni.

As per the bill, friends, family and members of the community would have a duty to report individuals in same-sex relationships to the authorities, reported BBC News

In around 30 African countries, including Uganda, same-sex relationships are banned as a significant population of people uphold conservative religious and social values very strongly.

The new legislation seeks to go further and criminalise people on the basis of their sexual identity. A person found guilty of trafficking or including institutions which support or fund LGBT rights activities or organisations, or publish, broadcast, and distribute pro-gay media material and literature, also face prosecution and imprisonment, reported BBC News.

The bill first tabled in Parliament this month finally got passed on Tuesday with a clear majority. It will now go to President Museveni, who has the option of turning it into law or exercising his veto in order to preserve his good standing with Western donors and investors.

The bill was contested by a small group of Ugandan MPs on the committee that was scrutinising it. They contend that the country's Criminal Code Act already addresses the offences it intends to criminalise.

LGBT activists and individuals in Uganda have said that the country's anti-homosexual attitude exposes them to physical and online harassment and that the measure might have far-reaching repercussions on Ugandans in general.

In 2014, Uganda's constitutional court nullified a similar act that had toughened laws against the LGBT community. It included making it illegal to promote and fund LGBT groups and activities, as well as reiterating that homosexual acts should be punished by life imprisonment. Since the Act was passed by parliament without the required quorum, the court decided that it should be revoked. Western nations have widely denounced the law.