Talk Sexual Pluralism-Uganda

                                             2010:The Anti-homosexuality Bill arouses passion.

In Uganda, widespread homophobia appears to be one of the most shared aspect by different religious/ethnic/professional/rural and urban groups in Uganda.

In 2005 a constitutional amendment that prohibited same-sex marriage was endorsed, stating… “Marriage is lawful only if entered into between a man and a woman,” and “it is unlawful for same-sex couples to marry”

The existing law in Uganda criminalizes homosexuality, and Ugandans can face up to life in prison for engaging in homosexual acts; Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI).

In 2009, a private member’s bill was tabled in parliament as a legislative proposal that would broaden the criminalization of same-sex relations by dividing homosexual behavior into two categories: "aggravated homosexuality“in which an offender would receive the death penalty, or "the offense of homosexuality" in which an offender would receive life imprisonment.

"The offense of homosexuality" is defined to include same-sex sexual acts, involvement in a same-sex marriage, or an attempt to commit aggravated homosexuality.

As a result of widespread international reaction to the proposed bill, the president instituted a commission to discuss the implications of passing the bill.

Whereas majority of responses from Ugandans in print media and radio were in support of the anti-gay bill, there was widespread disagreement with the death penalty as the recommended punishment. 

In the inter-parliamentary meeting hosted by Uganda, Uganda’s speaker of parliament rejected the inclusion of LGBT bills discussions on the agenda, stating that it was a matter for Ugandans to decide by themselves. 

Despite international pressure, homosexuals are still marginalized in Uganda. As a result, development of the country is threatened as the country’s development partners have threatened to cut development assistance to the country.

Overall the rights of LGBT individuals continues to be a difficult issue for people in Uganda to consider.So where does that leave us in a bid to reconcile pluralism to sexual orientation?

  

Josephine Nakimuli Kigozi

Communications& Advocacy Officer