Ugandan lawmakers have passed an antigay legislation that proposes harsh punishment for anyone identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.
The new law passed on Tuesday, includes a death penalty or 20 years in prison for people identifying as LGBTQ. Although, homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda and several other African countries, the new bill introduces many new criminal offences.
The new legislation includes a ban on promoting and abetting homosexuality as well as conspiracy to engage in homosexuality. Members of the community must now report persons engaging in homosexual activities to the authorities.
Violations under the law involves the death penalty for cases involving “aggravated homosexuality”, a term used under the law to describes gay sexual acts committed without consent, against children, people with mental or physical disabilities, among other categories.
The bill will now be sent to President Yoweri Museveni to be passed into law. The president has made several anti-gay comments and has lond opposed LGBTQ rights.
The bill has been condemned by several organizations and human rights activist. It has also raised concerns for the safety and well-being of the gay community in Uganda. The white House warns that there may be economic repercussions for Uganda if the new bill is passed.
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