Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Uganda passes horror bill to outlaw LGBTIQ+ people's existence

23/03/2023

Uganda passes horror bill to outlaw LGBTIQ people's existenceUganda have voted to criminalise LGBTIQ people's very existence under a bill that is one of the most oppressive anti-LGBTIQ legislations

by Mambaonline.com

23-03-2023 10:43

in LGBTQIA

MPs in Uganda overwhelmingly passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill on Tuesday. Photo: Mambaonline

Lawmakers in Uganda have voted to criminalise LGBTIQ people's very existence under a bill that is one of the most oppressive anti-LGBTIQ legislations in the world.

--

The new bill will make identifying as LGBTIQ illegal in Uganda

Even children could be jailed if they engage in same-sex acts

People who provide accommodation to LGBTIQ also face jail time

There are calls for President Museveni to veto the bill

On Tuesday, the Ugandan Parliament overwhelmingly passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023.

If signed by President Yoweri Museveni, the bill will add to the already existing colonial-era ban on homosexuality.

ALSO READ: Namibia: Supreme Court keeps gay couple's son in limbo

--

The bill's provisions are shockingly broad and infringe on almost every aspect of LGBTIQ existence.

These acts include promotion of homosexuality and the recruitment of children into homosexuality which have been blamed for the rising incidents of homosexuality in Uganda, said the Chairperson of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Robina Rwakoojo.

Under the bill's provisions, a person who publicly identifies as LGBTIQ could face 20 years in prison.

According to Uganda's Parliament, the bill also imposes a life sentence in prison for an individual convicted of committing the offence of homosexuality, while the attempt to engage in same-sex sex will attract a seven-year prison term.

--

This deeply repressive legislation will institutionalise discrimination, hatred, and prejudice against LGBTI people Anyone who takes part or assists in a same-sex marriage will be liable to a 10-year prison sentence. So-called aggravated homosexuality can be punished with the death penalty.

ALSO READ: Prof Tim Noakes slammed for homophobic cartoon retweet

Even children could be jailed if they engage in same-sex acts The owner, occupier or manager of premises who knowingly allows their premises to be used for acts of homosexuality will face a 10-year prison sentence.

Any legal entity convicted of promoting homosexuality will pay a major fine of shs1 billion (around US$ 265,000).

Horrifyingly, the bill also provides for a three-year imprisonment for a child convicted of the act of homosexuality.

During the debate on the bill, MP Sarah Opendi mirrored the widespread ignorance about human sexuality in Ugandan society and equated gay people with paedophiles.

She told the speaker that even life imprisonment is not adequate and asserted that these people should be castrated!

MP Fox Odoi Oywelowo presented a minority report saying that the bill is misconceived and duplicates provisions that exist in other laws. It is therefore, the position of the minority that the provisions of the bill, if passed into law will infringe on the rights of Ugandans specifically freedom of expression, association and liberty Oywelowo said.

ALSO READ: Masc gay men discriminate against fem gay men in the workplace

The legislation will be sent to President Museveni who recently described gay people as deviants .

He has the option of vetoing the bill or signing it into law. If it is signed, Museveni and his country will face considerable international backlash.

News of the bill's passage was met with alarm from human rights activists and groups.

Pan Africa ILGA said the bill is another way of using the law to punish people who cause no harm but for being who they are .

It called on the international community, including UN agencies and bodies, diplomatic missions and donor agencies to Uganda, to condemn the bill. They should boycott every attempt by Uganda to discriminate against sexual and gender minorities who cause no harm for being human, said the group.

ALSO READ: Adoption of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill welcomed

Amnesty International called for President Museveni to urgently veto the legislation. This deeply repressive legislation will institutionalise discrimination, hatred, and prejudice against LGBTI people, including those who are perceived to be LGBTI and block the legitimate work of civil society, public health professionals, and community leaders, said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.

Ugandan LGBTIQ activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera defiantly tweeted in response to the bill: I am a lesbian daughter of the soil. Deal with it. Will jail stop me from my feelings towards beautiful women? Your fundamentalism can't work on me.

Article by Roberto Igual

This article was initially published on MAMBAonlie.com

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY Mambaonline.com

SOAPIE QUIZ: How well do you know Gqeberha: The Empire'? ENTER HERE & WIN R1 000 in cash!
LINK: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/lgbtqia/uganda-passes-horror-b...
See more stories from thesouthafrican

More from The South African

22/05/2024

Judge blocks auction of Elvis Presley's Graceland estate

Judge blocks auction of Elvis Presley's Graceland estateA judge in Tennessee has temporarily halted a foreclosure sale of Graceland, the historic home of El...

22/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 22 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 22 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...

22/05/2024

Tonight's Scandal: Jojo draws a line in the sand and Phaka must make a decision

Tonight's Scandal: Jojo draws a line in the sand and Phaka must make a decis...

22/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: A costly request from Adani and Keletso, breaking the wedding dishes by mistake

Tonight on House of Zwide: A costly request from Adani and Keletso, breaking the...

22/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Dikeledi's death at the hands of Mthetho leaves Caesar and Jaxon troubled

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Dikeledi's death at the hands of Mthetho leave...

22/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 21 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 21 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soap...

22/05/2024

Shaka ILembe': Mzansi Magic denies food poisoning incident, confirms death

Shaka ILembe': Mzansi Magic denies food poisoning incident, confirms deathMzansi Magic has responded following reports that two Shaka ILembe' season tw...

22/05/2024

Bridgerton's third season sizzles with record-breaking viewership

Bridgerton's third season sizzles with record-breaking viewership Bridgerton' Season 3 Part 1 shattered records with a staggering 45.1 million views wit...

22/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: The Maputlas find out about Ntswaki's lies

Tonight on Skeem Saam: The Maputlas find out about Ntswaki's liesDon't miss Wednesday, 22 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam ...

21/05/2024

WATCH: Tonight's Scandal teaser - 21 May 2024

WATCH: Tonight's Scandal teaser - 21 May 2024Don't miss Tuesday, 21 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv on DStv channel ...

21/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Sthoko and Babeile's reunion puzzles and shatters their loved ones

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Sthoko and Babeile's reunion puzzles and shatters the...

21/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Soka is forced to lie after Mampho catches him preparing to go to dinner with Ona

Tonight on House of Zwide: Soka is forced to lie after Mampho catches him prepar...

21/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 20 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 20 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soapi...

21/05/2024

Popular children's TV shows you may have forgotten

Popular children's TV shows you may have forgottenSouth African television channels have entertained us over the years. Here is looking back at some popular...

21/05/2024

Actor Dumisani Dlamini discusses his role in Isitha: The Enemy'

Actor Dumisani Dlamini discusses his role in Isitha: The Enemy'Legendary actor Dumisani Dlamini has landed the character of Nsimbi in e.tv's popular te...

21/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: General's romantic gesture to Lulu meets with hesitation

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: General's romantic gesture to Lulu meets with ...

20/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Ntswaki sneaks Toby into the house, but sadly for her, Leeto arrives unannounced

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Ntswaki sneaks Toby into the house but sadly for her, Lee...

20/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Soka decides to explore things with Ona while still seeing Mampho

Tonight on House of Zwide: Soka decides to explore things with Ona while still s...

20/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Jaxon and Caesar fail in their attempt to corrupt Phakathi

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Jaxon and Caesar fail in their attempt to corrupt ...

20/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle's work life suffers as she struggles to hold it all together

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle's work life suffers as she struggles to hold it a...

20/05/2024

RIP: Two deaths' on Shaka ILembe' production

RIP: Two deaths' on Shaka ILembe' productionTwo people, who are part of the Shaka Ilembe' production set to return for a second season, have repo...

20/05/2024

Gangsterism in movies and television: Wees geskool'

Gangsterism in movies and television: Wees geskool'Gangsterism has been portrayed in movies and television: but have you ever seen these films and televisi...

20/05/2024

School project features Die Antwoord' [Watch]

School project features Die Antwoord' [Watch]School projects are difficult. However, this student took some inspiration from the controversial band Die An...

20/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Ntswaki sneaks Toby into the house but sadly for her, Leeto arrives unannounced

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Ntswaki sneaks Toby into the house but sadly for her, Lee...

19/05/2024

House of Zwide' June Spoiler: The Zwides recover their millions

House of Zwide' June Spoiler: The Zwides recover their millions The House of Zwide' June teasers reveal that Funani and Nkosi will recover a share of t...

18/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 17 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 17 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soapi...

18/05/2024

Shaka Ilembe' approved for season three

Shaka Ilembe' approved for season threeMzansi Magic's hit series Shaka Ilembe' which stars Nomzama Mbatha has been commissioned for a third season....

17/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa gets a rude awakening when Kgosi blackmails him

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa gets a rude awakening when Kgosi blackmails himDon't miss Friday, 17 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem ...

17/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Dorothy is blown away by Ona's sketches for her wedding dress

Tonight on House of Zwide: Dorothy is blown away by Ona's sketches for her w...

17/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle has a visit from her past that leaves her very unsettled

Tonight on Scandal: Dintle has a visit from her past that leaves her very unsett...

17/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 16 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 16 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...

17/05/2024

Prison Journalism: Letter to my mothers

Prison Journalism: Letter to my mothersThabo Mthembu was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2014 to 2019. Read Thabo's story by Thabo Mthembu 17-05-20...

17/05/2024

Paul McCartney becomes UK's first billionaire musician

Paul McCartney becomes UK's first billionaire musicianMusic icon Paul McCartney has become the UK's first billionaire musician, according to the Sunday ...

17/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Sakhile advises Tiny against sabotaging Petunia

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Sakhile advises Tiny against sabotaging PetuniaDon't miss Friday, 17 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Smoke ...

16/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Nkosi is angry and accuses Shoki of keeping secrets from him

Tonight on House of Zwide: Nkosi is angry and accuses Shoki of keeping secrets f...

16/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Phakathi examines the CCTV coverage and questions Jaxon

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Phakathi examines the CCTV coverage and questions ...

16/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: A terrifying story pushes Dintle into making a life-altering decision

Tonight on Scandal: A terrifying story pushes Dintle into making a life-altering...

16/05/2024

Irma Stern's 1930 portrait Cape Girl with Fruit headlines SA art auction

Irma Stern's 1930 portrait Cape Girl with Fruit headlines SA art auctionAn Irma Stern painting from 1930 leads Strauss & Co's diverse catalogue of moder...

16/05/2024

Prison Journalism: The role my mother played in my life

Prison Journalism: The role my mother played in my lifeWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Resto...

16/05/2024

Actress Sibongokuhle Cele joins Muvhango'

Actress Sibongokuhle Cele joins Muvhango'Model and former Durban Gen' actress Sibongokuhle Cele has secured a role in SABC2's soapie Muvhango'...

16/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Carol sees Ntswaki getting up to no good with Toby

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Carol sees Ntswaki getting up to no good with TobyDon't miss Thursday, 16 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...

16/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 15 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 15 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...

16/05/2024

Monet painting fetches R640 million at New York auction

Monet painting fetches R640 million at New York auctionA Monet has sold for nearly R640 million at auction, Sotheby's said, marking a solid start to New Yor...

15/05/2024

Eminem killing off Slim Shady' with new album

Eminem killing off Slim Shady' with new albumEminem is announcing a new album, called The Death of Slim Shady' killing off his controversial, crazy ps...

15/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele's baby's heart is not beating

Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele's baby's heart is not beatingDon't miss Wednesday, 15 May's riveting episode of South African soapie House of ...

15/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Mr Kgomo is forced to defend his decision to hire Eunice

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Mr Kgomo is forced to defend his decision to hire EuniceDon't miss Wednesday, 15 May's riveting episode of South African soapie S...

15/05/2024

Afrikaans words nobody learned at school

Afrikaans words nobody learned at schoolAfrikaans has some interesting words, which nobody might have learned at school. What about koeksisters' and panto...

15/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Tiny is intimidated by Petunia and tries to have her removed from the hotel

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Tiny is intimidated by Petunia and tries to have h...

14/05/2024

Radio Mzansi: Nine Proudly South African stations

Radio Mzansi: Nine Proudly South African stationsRadio stations are everywhere, but limited to area Or are they? You can listen to these proudly South African ...

14/05/2024

Leon Schuster: Five of the comedian's favourites

Leon Schuster: Five of the comedian's favouritesLeon Schuster is one of South Africa's favourite comedians. What's your comedy movie of choice? Watc...