Homosexual acts are illegal in most African countries, including Nigeria.
In Nigeria under the secular criminal laws, the maximum punishment for same-sex related offences is 14 years’ imprisonment.
In Uganda, it is different.
Ugandan lawmakers have passed a law that prescribes a punishment of up to 10 years in prison for identifying as LGBTQ+, among other things.
Under the proposed legislation, friends, family and members of the community would have a duty to report individuals in same-sex relationships to the authorities.
Reuters reports that opposition lawmaker Asuman Basalirwa introduced the Anti Homosexuality Bill 2023 to parliament, saying that the bill aims to “protect our church, culture; the legal, religious and traditional family values of Ugandans from the acts that are likely to promote sexual promiscuity in this country”.
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“The objective of the bill was to establish a comprehensive and enhanced legislation to protect traditional family values, our diverse culture, our faiths, by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex and the promotion or recognition of sexual relations between persons of the same sex.” Basalirwa stated
Activists and LGBT people in Uganda have said that anti-homosexuality sentiment in the country is exposing them to physical and online violence.
According to them, the bill may have far-reaching consequences for Ugandans in general.
Meanwhile, Lawmaker Fox Odoi-Oywelowo however spoke out against the bill, saying that it “contravenes established international and regional human rights standards” as it “unfairly limits the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ persons”.
