Sunday, December 22, 2013

Uganda's Parliament Passes Anti-Gay Bill


Ugandan parliament has passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. 

Although the Anti-Homosexuality Bill prescribed the death penalty for certain instances of aggravated homosexuality when it was first introduced in 2009, finally the death penalty has been dropped but people can still get life in prison for homosexuality.

The bill will make it illegal to promote homosexuality and will also jail anyone who does not report homosexual activities to the police. The bill also prescribes a seven-year jail term for a person who conducts a marriage ceremony for same-sex couples.

The bill is now an act of parliament and is just awaiting the signature from President Yoweri Museveni. He must sign the bill within 30 days for it to become law. 

Sadly, 38 African countries criminalize homosexual activity, Amnesty International said in a report released this year.

Ugandan LGBT people are afraid for their lives

A gay protest outside Uganda House in London

A gay protest in Toronto


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