Life imprisonment proposed for homosexuals in Uganda

A proposed new bill currently being debated by the Ugandan Parliament will allow a life sentence for homosexuality.

The bill, tabled by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati and seconded by Moroto County MP Obua Benson Ogwal, would also sentence to death anyone who has gay sex with a disabled person or someone under eighteen, according to PinkNews.

Bahati, who says his bill will protect children, youths and the "traditional family", dubbed this new crime "aggravated homosexuality".

The "promotion" of homosexuality will also become illegial. Punishable by a fine and five to seven years in jail, this would include funding gay organizations and publishing material on homosexuality.

Kate Sheill, Amnesty International’s expert on sexual rights, told Pink News: "Certain provisions in this bill are illegal; they are also immoral. They criminalise a sector of society for being who they are, when what the government should be doing instead is protecting them from discrimination and abuse."

In Uganda's Independent, Bob Roberts Katende says: "Though I may care about homosexuals existing in society, but eliminating them through death is a totally different thing. I think there are a host of less callous avenues to deal with the problem."

Uganda's Penal Code Article 145a already prohibits "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature", used to oppress gay people, according to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

Oppose this new law against homosexuality (scroll down halfway when you click this link).

The author of the GayUganda blog also has some ideas on how Ugandans and those outside Uganda can oppose this law.

See the content of the bill.

The Ugandan tabloid Red Pepper is another instrument of homophobia in that country, referring to "bum shafters" in a foul anoymous article entitled "We have homos in cabinet".

Why not let them know what you think at infoATredpepper.co.ug