Ugandan lawmakers draft new anti-gay bill

Uganda’s government has drafted a new anti-gay bill that could be introduced into law by the end of the year.

The new legislation would replace the country’s Anti-Homosexual Act, which was declared “null and void” by Uganda’s Constitutional Court in August because it was passed without the minimum number of law-making MPs being present at parliament. Find out more here.

A leaked copy of the new draft bill shows that lawmakers are seeking to criminalise the “promotion” of homosexuality. Those found guilty of the charge could face up to seven years behind bars, while those charged with “exhibiting unnatural sexual practices” could also face lengthy prison sentences.

“People don’t realise that the ‘promotion’ part of it [the bill] will affect everybody,” gay rights campaigner Frank Mugisha told AFP. “If newspapers report about homosexuality it could be seen as promotion. My Twitter account could be seen as promotion. All human rights groups that include LGBT rights defence in their activities could be accused of promotion.”

“They have just twisted the language but it is the same thing,” Mugisha continued, comparing the bill to the axed Anti-Homosexual Act. “It’s actually worse because the ‘promotion’ part is harsher and it will punish the funding of LGBT and human rights groups.”