Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has signed a law against homosexual acts. This is what President of the House of Representatives Anita Annet Onder said on Monday. According to consistent media reports, the Office of the President has also confirmed the signing. Among other things, the law provides for the death penalty for homosexuals convicted of rape or sex with minors or disabled persons.
People or groups that advocate for homosexuals, such as LGBT activists, can be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. LGBT is the English abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The variant LGBTQ is also often used. Other variants are LGBTQI or LGBTQIA+. Each letter represents a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
Increased harassment of homosexuals
Just over a month ago, Museveni sent a first draft of the law back to parliament. The president had expressed concern that the law could be legally vulnerable. In the original version, the law would also have criminalized homosexuals who voluntarily seek medical help. Parliament has now changed this aspect.
The effects were felt even before the law was signed, says Ugandan LGBT activist Sam Ganafa. Hospitals would refuse homosexuals for fear of government harassment. “This is sad news. Our people have to hide again,” Ganafa told the German news agency.
Stigma slows the fight against HIV
Uganda’s progress in the fight against HIV is now seriously at stake, according to the UN Program to Combat the Immune Deficiency Disease AIDS (UNAIDS). The stigma and discrimination associated with passing the law has already led to limited access to prevention and treatment services. “Trust, confidentiality and a stigma-free commitment are essential for anyone seeking healthcare,” UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the US President’s AIDS Emergency Response Plan (PEPFAR) wrote in a joint statement.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
