In a step backwards for human rights, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has implemented one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ bills in the world into law, with some cases being punishable by the death penalty.
As we previously reported, The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, was presented to Uganda’s Parliament back in March, and specifically noted that it would punish offenders with the death penalty in cases of”aggravated homosexuality,” which was defined as relationships of the same sex involving minors and those who are HIV positive. Others who partake in any LGBTQ activity or relationships could face ten years to life in prison.
Uganda’s speaker of Parliament, Anita Among took to Twitter to celebrate the bill being put into law and to thank the President. Her US Visa was revoked following the anti-gay bill being enacted.
BREAKING NEWS: #Uganda President signs
‘KILL THE GAYS’ Bill#AntiHomosexualityBill 2023 is now lawExecution for ‘aggravated homosexuality’
20 years jail for advocating LGBT+ equality
Sanction Ugandan leaders! pic.twitter.com/QdbeNHNKjx
— Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) May 29, 2023
“I thank His Excellency, the president, for his steadfast action in the interest of Uganda,” she tweeted. “With a lot of humility, I thank my colleagues the Members of Parliament for withstanding all the pressure from bullies and doomsday conspiracy theorists in the interest of our country.”
Leaders around the world were appalled by the news and called for its appeal and to put an end to the criminalization of homosexuality, per CNN.
RELATED: Uganda Passes A Law Making It A Crime To Identify As LGBTQ: We Are Making This Law For Our Children
Republican senator Ted Cruz labeled it as “horrific and wrong.”
“Any law criminalizing homosexuality or imposing the death penalty for ‘aggravated homosexuality’ is grotesque & an abomination,” Cruz tweeted. “ALL civilized nations should join together in condemning this human rights abuse.”
In response to the bill, the office of the United Nations shared that they were also ‘appalled’ by the bill.
“We are appalled that the draconian and discriminatory anti-gay bill is now law. It is a recipe for systematic violations of the rights of LGBT people & the wider population. It conflicts with the Constitution and international treaties and requires urgent judicial review.”
U.S President Joe Biden asked for an immediate repeal of the law and indicated towards potential sanctions for the country if they refused to repeal the bill.
“The enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act is a tragic violation of universal human rights — one that is not worthy of the Ugandan people, and one that jeopardizes the prospects of critical economic growth for the entire country,” Biden said.
Public figures like Virgin’s Richard Branson also spoke out,
“Uganda’s anti-gay bill would see me killed if I return.” A powerful piece showing what is at stake if #Uganda passes its abhorrent anti-homosexuality bill. People don’t choose to be gay, thy are born gay, and just as a good parent would accept their children’s sexuality,…
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) May 26, 2023
The country could lose billions in aid money from investors and government officials around the world amidst the the new bill being put in law. A similar fate occurred with a bill from 2014. This has been an ongoing human rights debate in Uganda for decades.