How outrageous is Uganda’s ‘Kill the Gays’ bill?

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran. He is the…

Rebecca Kadaga, speaker of Ugandan parliament

Some of the more outrageous provisions of Uganda’s anti-homosexuality bill are highlighted in the most recent press release from the activist group Sexual Minorities Uganda, or SMUG.

Among them:

“Any person alleged to be homosexual would be at risk of life imprisonment or in some circumstances the death penalty”

“Any parent who does not denounce their lesbian daughter or gay son to the authorities would face fines of $2,650 or three years in prison”

“Any teacher who does not report a lesbian or gay pupil to the authorities within 24 hours would face the same penalties”

“And any landlord or landlady who happens to give housing to a suspected homosexual would risk 7 years of imprisonment”

Similarly, the Bill threatens to punish or ruin the reputation of anyone who works with the gay or lesbian population, such as medical doctors working on HIV/AIDS, Civil Society leaders active in the fields of sexual and reproductive health; or even religious leaders providing guidance and counseling to people who are unsure of their sexuality or any other consultations.

Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of the Ugandan parliament, has promised passage of the bill by Christmas.

The bill is often called the “Kill the Gays” bill because of a provision for the death sentence for repeat offenders — a provision that may or may not have been removed from the current version of the bill.

Uganda’s existing laws already provide for a life sentence for homosexual acts involving either men or women.

The full text of the press release is below:

November 22, 2012

STATEMENT OF PROTEST: ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL IN UGANDA

Dear Partners and Allies,

As most of you know, the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” was been re-tabled before the Ugandan Parliament in February 2012 amidst full house applause. The Speaker of Parliament has promised to pass this bill as a Christmas gift to Uganda.

This Bill’s provisions are draconian. Among them, the Bill states that:

“Any person alleged to be homosexual would be at risk of life imprisonment or in some circumstances the death penalty”

“Any parent who does not denounce their lesbian daughter or gay son to the authorities would face fines of $2,650 or three years in prison”

“Any teacher who does not report a lesbian or gay pupil to the authorities within 24 hours would face the same penalties”

“And any landlord or landlady who happens to give housing to a suspected homosexual would risk 7 years of imprisonment”

Similarly, the Bill threatens to punish or ruin the reputation of anyone who works with the gay or lesbian population, such as medical doctors working on HIV/AIDS, Civil Society leaders active in the fields of sexual and reproductive health; or even religious leaders providing guidance and counseling to people who are unsure of their sexuality or any other consultations. There are claims that the bill has been watered down, however we reiterate our position that we condemn this bill in its entirety.

The existing law has already been employed in an arbitrary way, and this Bill will just intensify that effect. Since it’s first reading, increased campaigns of hate have continued uncontrolled. The violence directed at homosexual Ugandans has resulted in the unwarranted arrests of many people and closure of educational workshops for LGBT persons. We have documented about 17 cases in and outside various courts all over Uganda. These acts of violence have now resulted in murder and suicide of LGBT Ugandans. SMUG’s Advocacy and Litigation Officer David Kato who was brutally murdered at his house in January 2011.

All of the offences covered by the Bill as drafted can be applied to a Ugandan citizen who allegedly commits them – even outside the country of Uganda! At the very least, the bill violates all principle human rights and if enacted, it would contravene 8 articles of Uganda’s own constitution. It not only violates the Constitution of Uganda but Uganda’s international human rights obligations, and also stifles debate, undermines Civil Society and demeans the common citizenship of all Ugandans.

The Bill does little more than to entrench stigma and prejudice, which will polarize the Ugandan society further and undermine public health efforts to combat the spread of HIV. It places a total ban on public discussion of an issue whose existence cannot be wished away. If the Bill is adopted, it will make Uganda a pariah in the international community. We therefore urge the Ugandan Parliament to reject this Bill in its entirety.

Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) have vehemently responded to the bill and issued several press statements in protest to the bill and continue to engage in various ways to stifle the progression of this bill. When the bill was first introduced in 2009 we called upon our regional and international partners and allies for support in denouncing this bill in simultaneous demonstrations at Ugandan foreign missions in your respective countries. We ask you once again to stand with us and do simultaneous peaceful demonstrations at Ugandan foreign missions in your respective countries.

On behalf of Sexual Minorities Uganda, we thank you for your continued support, solidarity and commitment to justice and equality.