Anti-LGBT laws: Uganda

Ugandan law currently provides for a life sentence for homosexual acts involving either men or women.

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According to the 2011 report on laws about homosexuality worldwide from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association:

The Penal Code Act of 1950 (Chapter 120) (as amended) 166
Section 145. Unnatural offences.
“Any person who—
(a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature;
(b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or
(c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.”

Section 146. Attempt to commit unnatural offences.
“Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in section145 commits a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

Section 148. Indecent practices.
“Any person who, whether in public or in private, commits any act of gross indecency with another person who procures another person to commit any act of gross indecency with him or her or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any person with himself or herself or with another person, whether in public or in private, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

The Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2005167
Article 31. Rights of the family.
“(2a) Marriage between persons of the same sex is prohibited.”

Tougher legislation, popularly known as the “kill the gays” bill, has been proposed but not acted upon.

In its 2011 annual report on human rights, Amnesty International cited cases of discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Uganda:

LGBT individuals and rights activists continued to face arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, torture and other ill-treatment by the police and other security personnel.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009 which would further entrench discrimination and lead to other human rights violations against LGBT people remained pending in Parliament.

In October and November a local publication, The Rolling Stone, published front page articles identifying people it said were homosexuals; one included the words “Hang them”. The articles contained names, pictures and in some cases addresses and other details. The people named included activists and human rights defenders. A number of people named in the publication complained of harassment and threats by people known to them. In November, some of the individuals named filed a civil law case in the High Court against the publishers, alleging violation of their rights to life, dignity and privacy. The Court’s decision was pending at the end of the year. However, the authorities did not condemn the publication or take any measures to protect the people placed at the risk of violence by the articles.