The President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni has assented to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 which helralds the enforcement of the Anti-Homosexuality law in the country.
In a Twitter post, the Speaker, Parliament of Uganda, Anita Among who led the legislation of the bill, called on law enforcement to act on the mandate bestowed on them.
“Countrymen and women,
“His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has executed his Constitutional mandate as prescribed by Article 91 (3) (a) of the 1995 Constitution and assented to the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023.
“As Parliament of Uganda, we have heeded the concerns our people and legislated to protect the sanctity of family; as per Article 31 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
“We have stood strong to defend the Culture, Values and aspirations of our people as per objectives 19 & 24 of our National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.
“I thank His Excellency, the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his steadfast action in the interest of Ugandans. With a lot of humility, I thank my colleague Members of Parliament for withstanding all the pressure, in the interest of our Country. By their action, we have lived by our motto: For God and our Country.
“On behalf of the Parliament of Uganda, I thank the people of Uganda for the prayers and encouragement as we executed our mandate in line with Articles I and 79 of the Constitution.
“We shall always stand for and promote the interests of the people of Uganda.
“I now encourage the duty bearers under the law to execute the mandate bestowed upon them in the Anti-Homosexuality Act. The people of Uganda have spoken, and it is your duty now to enforce the law in a fair, steadfast, and firm manner.
“For God and my Country.”
According to Africa Facts Zone, the act which came into effect on May 29, 2023, has stringent penalties as listed below.
- Person convicted of aggravated homosexuality – death
- Person who commits the offence of homosexuality – 20 years
- Person convicted of promotion of homosexuality – 20 years
- Person recruiting children into homosexuality – 20 years
- Person who has committed the attempted aggravated homosexuality – 14 years
- Person who has been convicted of attempted homosexuality – 10 years
- The owner of the premises that promote homosexuality – 10 years
- Child found guilty of homosexuality – 3 years
- Media houses that publish materials that promote homosexuality – Fine 1bn & license revoked for 10 years.
The United States and European Union Parliament have condemned the law and asked it be revoked.
