Parliament passed the bill to prohibit the promotion or recognition of sexual relations between persons of the same sex. The bill was passed by parliament on Tuesday, 21st March 2023 and if assented to by the President, also proposes a death penalty for anyone engaging in aggravated homosexuality. The president assented to the Anti-Homosexuality Act, of 2023 and he signed the bill into law on 26th May 2023.
The provisions embedded in the Act seek to protect the traditional family by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex and the promotion of such acts. The Act also seeks to address the gaps of other laws in Uganda including the Penal Code Act, Cap 120, as well as supplement provisions of the Constitution by criminalizing same-sex acts.
While considering the Act, Legislators agreed to a penalty of Ushs 1billion imposed on a legal entity convicted of promoting homosexuality. The Act proposes a life sentence in prison for an individual convicted of committing the offense of homosexuality, whereas attempting to perform the act would attract a seven-year prison term.