Uganda revives plans to impose death penalty for gay sex

Uganda is looking to revive legislation, colloquially known as the 'Kill the Gays' bill, that would impose the death penalty on people who engage in gay sex.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is reportedly a strong supporter of the 'kill the gays' bill.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is reportedly a strong supporter of the 'kill the gays' bill. Source: Getty Images Europe

Uganda has unveiled plans to reintroduce a bill that would make the death penalty applicable for homosexuals.

The "Kill the Gays" legislation was nullified on a technicality in 2014, but could return in just a matter of weeks.

The East African nation's Ethics and Integrity Minister Simon Lokodo believes young people in the country are being negatively influenced by same-sex relations.

"Homosexuality is not natural to Ugandans, but there has been a massive recruitment by gay people in schools, and especially among the youth, where they are promoting the falsehood that people are born like that," he said.

"Our current penal law is limited. It only criminalises the act. We want it made clear that anyone who is even involved in promotion and recruitment has to be criminalised. Those that do grave acts will be given the death sentence."

Uganda has some of the world's strictest laws governing homosexuality.

Same-sex relations are considered largely taboo across the region.

Earlier this year, Brunei buckled to international pressure after plans to impose the death penalty for gay sex courted widespread criticism.

Mr Lokodo said he is confident Uganda's latest effort to impose punishments for gay sex will receive the green light.

"We have been talking to the MPs and we have mobilised them in big numbers," he said.

"Many are supportive."

Earlier this month, a prominent LGBTQI+ activist was beaten to death in Uganda's Jinja district.

Three gay men and one transgender woman have died in homophobic attacks in Uganda this year, according to activists.


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Published 11 October 2019 8:11am
Updated 11 October 2019 8:17am
By Adam Marsters
Source: SBS News


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