In the last few years, Uganda has come under almost-universal condemnation the world over for its Anti-Homosexuality Act (PDF), or its “Kill the Gays bill,” which initially called for the death penalty against LGBTQ people in the Eastern African country. This weekend, the bill’s original sponsor said he was going to reintroduce the law, which was struck down in August.
Member of Parliament David Bahati, who first introduced the Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2009, lead the law’s ratification in December 2013. International condemnation was swift, and the AHA was struck down for procedural reasons by a Ugandan court in August 2014. As is now stands, same-sex relationships are currently illegal in Uganda.
Beyond illegality, the AHA seeks to significantly broaden the criminalization of homosexuality in Uganda; it initially called for death for cases of “aggravated homosexuality,” hence its repositioning as the “Kill the Gays bill,” but this was later reduced to life imprisonment. Alarmingly, the original provisions of the AHA are severe and far-reaching.
Besides life imprisonment for gay couples living together, Ugandans engaging in gay acts outside of the country would face criminal extradition; individuals, media, NGOs, and businesses are required to report any form of homosexual activity within 24 hours or face fines and imprisonment; and those who are suspected of homosexual activity must undergo forced HIV tests under the law’s terms.
Interestingly, it is American Christian evangelicals who are credited with putting the sails behind the initial “Kill the Gays bill.” Prominent evangelicals such as Scott Lively and Rick Warren have been doing “missionary” work in Uganda for decades, and have been accused of meddling in African public policy, helping to create a culture where Christian morality is shrouded in gross human rights violations (though Warren has denied supporting the AHA). Read more
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