Uganda Passes Anti-LGBTQ Law, Imposes Jail And Death Penalty
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni signs the contentious anti-gay bill into law.
Currently the month of June is going on. The month of June is also Pride Month, where people celebrate and create awareness about the LGBTQIA+ community. There are pride parades, parties and different kinds of programmes. How shocking news has emerged from Uganda. In Uganda, homosexuality was already not allowed under the law as they felt that it was "against the order of nature." The Anti-Homosexuality bill was passed by the Parliament of Uganda in March and later sent to the president for approval. Now Uganda President Museveni Yoweri on 5th June 2023 approved the Bill and passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023. This bill does not criminalize LGBTQ people (if the person likes the same sex person, it is ok. It is not against law) but engaging in acts of homosexuality (gay sex or lesbian sex) would be punishable by life in prison or the death penalty. The law also states that same-sex sexual interactions involving persons infected with HIV, as well as minors and other vulnerable people are not allowed. Anyone who breaks the law, faces life in jail or even death.
The bill was condemned by the United States, the European Union, and international human rights groups, but it has widespread public support in Uganda. Meanwhile, the US has warned of economic ramifications over the new law. President Museveni stated that the West, especially the United States, is attempting to push other countries to embrace homosexuality, which Uganda would not tolerate. He requested a medical opinion to determine if gays were "deviations from the normal" or natural.
