Uganda’s Government has passed new legislation that will see individuals facing up to 20 years in prison for identifying as LGBTQ+.
Passed on Tuesday, the 21st of March 2023, the new legislation adds to the nation’s already anti-LGBTQ+ legislation by adding longer jail times and incriminating LGBTQ+ allies.
While homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda, the new punishments will see jail times of up to 20 years for individuals identifying as LGBTQ+, up to 5 years for LGBTQ+ allies, and even death for people convicted of “aggravated homosexuality” – a term used in the legislation to refer to rape, child sexual abuse, or incest.
Only two MPs opposed the new law, which was approved by politicians from both sides of the House and will now go to the president, Yoweri Museveni, to be officially signed into law.
