In Uganda, a new bill has been introduced by a Member of Parliament seeking to ban sodomy and same-sex marriage in the country. MP David Bahati, who is known for his conservative views, submitted the bill to Parliament on Monday.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Penal Code Act to include new provisions that would criminalize homosexuality, making it punishable by life imprisonment. It also seeks to outlaw same-sex marriage and impose strict penalties on individuals and organizations that promote homosexuality.
The bill has been met with mixed reactions from different quarters. While some conservative groups have hailed it as a step in the right direction, human rights activists and LGBTQ advocates have criticized it as discriminatory and a violation of basic human rights.
Frank Mugisha, the executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda, said that the bill was a “blatant attack on the dignity and rights of LGBTQ people.” He added that it would not only make life more difficult for LGBTQ individuals in Uganda but would also make it harder for them to access healthcare, education, and other basic services.
Homosexuality is a human wrong that offends the laws of Uganda and threatens the sanctity of the family, the safety of our children and the continuation of humanity through reproduction pic.twitter.com/NTCo9mQ95c
— Basalirwa Asuman (@HonBasalirwaA) February 28, 2023
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Some Ugandans, however, believe that the bill is necessary to protect the country’s traditional values and morals. They argue that homosexuality is a Western import and that it goes against Uganda’s cultural and religious beliefs.
This is not the first time that Uganda has attempted to pass legislation aimed at curbing homosexuality. In 2014, the country passed the infamous Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was widely condemned by the international community for its harsh penalties, including life imprisonment for repeat offenders.
The law was later overturned by Uganda’s Constitutional Court on a technicality, but its introduction and subsequent repeal caused widespread international condemnation and damaged Uganda’s relations with Western countries.
It remains to be seen whether this latest attempt to outlaw homosexuality in Uganda will be successful. Human rights activists and LGBTQ advocates have vowed to fight the bill, both in Uganda and on the international stage. Meanwhile, conservative groups have promised to push for its passage, arguing that it is necessary to protect Uganda’s moral fabric.
The bill is expected to spark heated debate in the coming weeks, with proponents and opponents lining up to make their voices heard. It is unclear when it will be put to a vote, but its introduction has already reignited the debate on homosexuality in Uganda and the wider African continent.
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