Following a highly tense and chaotic session, Uganda’s parliament enacted comprehensive anti-gay legislation that provides harsh new punishments for same-sex relationships. Residents of the capital Kampala mostly applaud the law.
Ugandans in general accept the legislation, and civil society response has been subdued as a result of years of civic space being reduced under Museveni’s increasingly authoritarian administration.
“The bill was passed yesterday and we are very happy as citizens of Uganda. Culturally we don’t, we don’t accept homosexuality, lesbianism, LGBTQ. We cannot. As Africans we want to produce, we want everything to run normally,” resident Abdu Mukasa says.
“The bill which had been passed, for life for those people who are interested in such a thing… Though I am a parent, children of ours are the ones doing such things… If the parliament had decided, it is ok. Because I can’t see such a child of mine doing such a thing.” added Ida Maama Wanguti Mujjwa, Kampala resident.
All but one legislator opposed the bill, and large elements of the original draught law were changed.
The conservative East African nation already forbids homosexuality, and it was unclear what new punishments had been decided upon right away.
The National Resistance Movement party of President Yoweri Museveni’s MP Fox Odoi-Oywelowo, who spoke against the measure, told AFP that under the final version of the law, offenders would face life imprisonment or perhaps the death penalty for “aggravated” offences.
“This House will not shy to restrict any right to the extent the House recognizes,” Among said.
The bill will next be presented to President Museveni, who has the option of vetoing it or signing it into law.
The 78-year-old leader has frequently said, however, that he does not consider the matter to be a priority and would instead like to keep his positive relationships with Western donors and investors.
The debate over the bill in parliament was riddled with homophobic language, with MPs confusing consenting same-sex activity between adults with child sexual abuse.
