On February 24, 2014, the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law. The law increases the already harsh penalties in place in Uganda for consensual homosexual conduct between adults.
Under the new law the penalty for the offence of homosexuality is now life imprisonment. It has also introduced a penalty of life imprisonment for “aggravated homosexuality” and for living in a same-sex marriage. “Attempting to commit homosexuality” carries with it a sentence of seven years as does “aiding and abetting” homosexuality. “A person who keeps a house, room, set of rooms or place of any kind for purposes of homosexuality” is also liable for seven years imprisonment.
The most worrying aspect of the Bill is the introduction of the penalty of between five and seven years in jail or a large fine for the promotion of homosexuality. Businesses or NGOs found guilty of the promotion of homosexuality will now have their certificates of registration cancelled and the directors could be liable to face seven years in jail.
Officials in Uganda broke into applause when the Bill was passed into law.
Maria Burnett of Human Rights Watch has commented how Uganda “has dealt a dramatic blow to freedom of expression and association by signing the Anti-Homosexuality Bill” into law.
Click here to read the Bill in full
Click here to read a report about the Bill from the Human Rights Watch
Click here to read a report about the Bill in the Irish Times