“Our current penal law is limited. It only criminalises the act.
“We want it made clear that anyone who is even involved in promotion and recruitment has to be criminalised. Those that do grave acts will be given the death sentence.”
Countries across the continent have some of the world’s most prohibitive laws governing homosexuality.
Same-sex relationships are considered taboo and gay sex is a crime across most of the continent and punishments can range from imprisonment to death.
Earlier this year, Brunei sparked international outrage after announcing plans to implement the death penalty for gay sex, but ultimately backtracking after intense criticism.
Now Uganda plans to follow suit.
WIDESPREAD CONDEMNATION
He is optimistic it will pass with the required two-thirds majority after a shortfall in numbers stopped a similar bill from going through in 2014.
Lokodo added the bill didn’t pass last time because the government had lobbied legislators ahead of its re-introduction, Lokodo added.
He said: “We have been talking to the MPs and we have mobilised them in big numbers. Many are supportive.”
Uganda’s constitutional court overturned the law – known colloquially known as the ‘Kill the Gays’ bill because it includes the death penalty – on a technicality in 2014.
Even without it, under British colonial law, gay sex is punishable with up to life imprisonment.
Activists have raised fears that the new bill risks unleashing more attacks.
Zahra Mohamed of the Toronto-based charity Stephen Lewis Foundation said: “Bringing back anti-gay legislation would invariably lead to a spike in discrimination and atrocities.”
Much as we know that this is going to irritate our supporters in budget and governance, we can’t just bend our heads and bow before people who want to impose a culture which is foreign to us.
Ethics And Integrity Minister Simon Lokodo
Uganda faced international condemnation in 2014 when the bill was signed off by President Museveni.
The US cut back aid, imposed visa restrictions and cancelled military exercises.
The World Bank, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands also suspended or redirected aid.
Lokodo said Uganda was prepared for any backlash.
He said: “It is a concern, but we are ready. We don’t like blackmailing.
“Much as we know that this is going to irritate our supporters in budget and governance, we can’t just bend our heads and bow before people who want to impose a culture which is foreign to us.”
Pepe Julian Onziema from Sexual Minorities Uganda, an alliance of LGBT+ organisations, fears of an increase in homophobic attacks.
He said: “When the law was introduced last time, it whipped up homophobic sentiment and hate crimes.
“Hundreds of LGBT+ people have been forced to leave the country as refugees and more will follow if this law is enacted. It will criminalise us from even advocated for LGBT+ rights, let alone supporting and protecting sexual minorities.”
Onziema said three gay men and one transgender woman have been killed in homophobic attacks in Uganda this year – and the most recent was last week when a gay man was bludgeoned to death. (Sun)
