Gay rights activists in Uganda are calling for increased pressure on the government to repeal an anti-gay law that was recently upheld by the Constitutional Court. The law imposes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” and long prison terms for other offenses. Activists have condemned the court’s decision as wrong and deplorable, and are urging the international community to restrict donor funding to Uganda in response to the ruling.
President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law last year, despite widespread condemnation from rights groups both within the country and abroad. The court’s ruling also allowed for up to 14 years in prison for suspects convicted of “attempted aggravated homosexuality” and up to 10 years for “attempted homosexuality.” Although the court ordered that members of the LGBT community should not face discrimination when seeking medicine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken dismissed this as insufficient in safeguarding human rights.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed disappointment in the court’s decision, emphasizing that the remaining provisions of the Anti-Homosexuality Act pose grave threats to the Ugandan people. He stated that the Biden administration continues to assess the implications of the law on U.S. engagement with the Ugandan government, and has already taken actions such as sanctions and visa restrictions against officials involved in human rights abuses. The United States remains committed to holding individuals and entities accountable for such violations.
A Ugandan human rights advocate who was involved in the case expressed disappointment with the court’s findings, noting that they had expected a defense of human rights rather than a reliance on public sentiments and cultural values arguments. Homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda under a colonial-era law, with a punishment of life imprisonment for sexual activity deemed to be “against the order of nature.” The Constitutional Court’s decision to uphold the Anti-Homosexuality Act has further marginalized and endangered the LGBT community in Uganda.
The ruling has sparked outrage among gay rights activists who are calling for swift action to repeal the law and protect the rights of Ugandan citizens regardless of their sexual orientation. The international community, including the United States, has condemned the law and expressed concern for the safety and well-being of LGBT individuals in Uganda. Pressure is mounting on the Ugandan government to address this issue, with calls for increased sanctions, restrictions on aid, and other measures to ensure that human rights are upheld for all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. The debate over LGBT rights in Uganda is ongoing, with activists and advocates continuing to push for progress and equality in the face of discriminatory laws and practices.
