The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023: Impact on LGBTIQ+ Rights in Uganda

THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY
2023 AND EXPANDED
CRIMINALISATION OF
LGBTIQ+ PERSONS IN
UGANDA.
Pepe Julian Onziema
(He/Him/His)
AHB2023
2
IS HOMOSEXUALITY ALIEN TO
AFRICA?
Historical and anthropological evidence
shows that same sex relationships
existed throughout Africa, including in
the territories that now make up
Uganda, long before colonisation by
Western powers.
 There was no particular stigmatisation
of this behaviour; indeed in many
cultures it was part of accepted normal
relationships between people. Current
homophobic attitudes date from the
colonial period and are strongest in
those countries that were once part of
the British Empire.
King (Kabaka) Mwanga from Buganda (1868-1903)
INTRODUCTION
The Anti-Homosexuality ACT 2023 in Uganda is a legislation that
criminalizes homosexuality in the country further. The ACT was first
signed on 24 February 2014, and On 1 August 2014,
the constitutional court of Uganda ruled the act invalid on
procedural grounds.
The Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023, passed by the Ugandan
Parliament, curtails freedom of speech regarding LGBT civil rights
and imposes stricter punishments for specific homosexual activities.
After being read for the third time on 21 March 2023, the bill was
sent to President Yoweri Museveni for approval. However, on 21
April 2023, Museveni returned it to Parliament. After minor
amendments were made, the bill was passed again on 2 May.
Finally, on 26 May, Museveni signed the bill into law..
This presentation gives an overview of the history of criminalization
of LGBTIQ+ persons in Uganda and the current impacts of yet
another criminalizing legislation.
AHB2023
4
undefined
BACKGROUND
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda was first introduced in October
2009 by Member of Parliament David Bahati. The bill proposed harsh
penalties for homosexual acts, including life imprisonment for those
convicted of "aggravated homosexuality" - defined as homosexual
acts committed by a person with HIV, by an adult with a minor, or by a
person in authority over the other participant. The bill also proposed
criminalizing the "promotion of homosexuality," which could include
advocating for LGBT rights or providing healthcare services to LGBT
individuals.
The initial purpose of the bill was to strengthen existing laws
criminalizing homosexuality in Uganda like the Penal code ACT.
Supporters of the bill claimed that it was necessary to protect Ugandan
culture and values from what they saw as Western influence promoting
homosexuality.
On 28th February 2023, a new bill was proposed on the floor of
parliament as a private members bill by Honourable Asuman Basalilwa.
The bill was gazetted in the Uganda Gazette, an official government
publication, signifying the government’s position on flagging the bill to
go through the legislative process. A certificate of financial implications
was also provided and the bill was read for its first reading.
5
PASSING THE AHB
2023
The AHB 2023 was first passed 21 March 2023 but was
returned to parliament by the President.
The Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
reviewed the concerns and proposals made by the
President regarding distinguishing between being a
homosexual and actually engaging in acts of
homosexuality.
The President said the law should be clear so that what
is being criminalized is not the state of one having a
deviant proclivity but rather the actions of one acting
on the deviance or promoting the same.
Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023
the second time on 02 May 2023 with amendments to
five clauses following proposals by President Yoweri
Museveni.
KEY PROVISIONS OF THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT
AHB2023
7
TRIGGER WARNING
AHB2023
8
IMPACT ON LGBT+ COMMUNITY
HYPERVISIBILITY
AHB2023
9
IMPACT ON LGBT+ COMMUNITY
HOMOPHOBIC ATTACKS, HATE CRIME AND DISCRIMINATION
AHB2023
10
SOCIAL LISTENING
Using technology we have
been able to track
sentiments in media across
the board indicating
emotions of anger and
disgust towards LGBTIQ+
persons in Uganda. In this
graph we see almost
16,000 sentiments of disgust
on all media platforms in
Uganda alone in the last
four months.
AHB2023
11
undefined
THE EVOLUTION OF THE ANTI-
GENDER MOVEMENT
The First African Regional Inter-Parliamentary Conference
and Dialogue on the Global Challenges to the Protection
of the African Child, the African Family, and African
Culture and Values was held from March 30 to April 1,
2023 in Kampala, Uganda
A silent, but integral partner in this was the U.S.-based
Mormon NGO Family Watch International (FWI). While FW
attempted to scrub their presence from this event, there is
ample evidence of their coordinating role in the design
and implementation.
FWI is led by Sharon Slater who has spent years
cultivating relationships and developing international and
sub-regional partners who oppose LGBTI rights and sexual
and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Slater holds
key positions in partner organizations like the Political
Network for Values (PNfV), and FWI has formally
collaborated with many of the individuals and
organizations that participated in the Uganda
conference. 
AHB2023
12
undefined
FAMILY WATCH INTERNATIONAL
The Ugandan inter-parliamentary convening came
two weeks after the United Nations’ annual
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which
took place in New York City. There, FWI worked
closely with the Nigerian mission to the United Nations
to organize several side events that showcased some
of the participants who were in Uganda for the
parliamentary convening.
The lengths to which FWI hid itself as an organizer of
this meeting was very revealing and suggests that FWI
sees a PR peril in going public. Several examples of
how they were obfuscating their role in the Uganda
convening include: Sharon Slater and her husband,
Gregory Slater, not identifying themselves on the
program but rather using their middle names, and in
the case of Sharon Slater, her maiden name instead;
they are billed on the agenda as Deon Ruff and Greg
Scott
AHB2023
13
Sharon Slater speaking to President Museveni at the conference break
IT IS OUR DUTY TO FIGHT FOR OUR
FREEDOM.
IT IS OUR DUTY TO WIN.
WE MUST LOVE EACH OTHER AND
SUPPORT EACH OTHER.
WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT
OUR CHAINS.
 
Assata
 
Shakur
 
AHB2023
14
undefined
MOVING FORWARD
We continue our almost 20-year journey to advocate for the
rights of the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda through
campaigns, education, and awareness programs.
We continue to engage even in this trying time to push for
legal reforms that protect the rights of LGBT+ individuals in
Uganda and we will defeat this legislation yet again.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring safety
and security by actively reacting to human rights violations,
collaborating with policymakers, and leading in mobilizing
and organizing the LGBTIQ movement in Uganda.
AHB2023
15
   THANK YOU
Pepe Julian Onziema
Email: 
onziema@gmail.com
Mobile: +256-772-370-674
LinkedIn: Pepe Julian Onziema
Socials: @Opimva
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The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 in Uganda criminalizes homosexuality, imposing stricter punishments and curtailing freedom of speech for LGBTIQ+ individuals. Historical evidence shows that homosexuality is not alien to Africa, but colonial influences have led to stigmatization. The bill, first proposed in 2009, aims to protect Ugandan culture from perceived Western influence. Despite initial invalidation, the Act was eventually signed into law, sparking concerns for the rights and safety of LGBTIQ+ persons in Uganda.


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  1. THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY 2023 AND EXPANDED CRIMINALISATION OF LGBTIQ+ PERSONS IN UGANDA. Pepe Julian Onziema (He/Him/His)

  2. 2 AHB2023

  3. IS HOMOSEXUALITY ALIEN TO AFRICA? Historical and anthropological evidence shows that same existed throughout Africa, including in the territories that now make up Uganda, long before colonisation by Western powers. There was no particular stigmatisation of this behaviour; indeed in many cultures it was part of accepted normal relationships between people. Current homophobic attitudes date from the colonial period and are strongest in those countries that were once part of the British Empire. sex relationships King (Kabaka) Mwanga from Buganda (1868-1903)

  4. 4 INTRODUCTION The Anti-Homosexuality ACT 2023 in Uganda is a legislation that criminalizes homosexuality in the country further. The ACT was first signed on 24 February 2014, the constitutional court of Uganda ruled the act invalid on procedural grounds. The Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023, passed by the Ugandan Parliament, curtails freedom of speech regarding LGBT civil rights and imposes stricter punishments for specific homosexual activities. After being read for the third time on 21 March 2023, the bill was sent to President Yoweri Museveni for approval. However, on 21 April 2023, Museveni returned it to Parliament. After minor amendments were made, the bill was passed again on 2 May. Finally, on 26 May, Museveni signed the bill into law.. This presentation gives an overview of the history of criminalization of LGBTIQ+ persons in Uganda and the current impacts of yet another criminalizing legislation. and On 1 August 2014, AHB2023

  5. 5 BACKGROUND The Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda was first introduced in October 2009 by Member of Parliament David Bahati. The bill proposed harsh penalties for homosexual acts, including life imprisonment for those convicted of "aggravated homosexuality" - defined as homosexual acts committed by a person with HIV, by an adult with a minor, or by a person in authority over the other participant. The bill also proposed criminalizing the "promotion of homosexuality," which could include advocating for LGBT rights or providing healthcare services to LGBT individuals. The initial purpose of the bill was to strengthen existing laws criminalizing homosexuality in Uganda like the Penal code ACT. Supporters of the bill claimed that it was necessary to protect Ugandan culture and values from what they saw as Western influence promoting homosexuality. On 28th February 2023, a new bill was proposed on the floor of parliament as a private members bill by Honourable Asuman Basalilwa. The bill was gazetted in the Uganda Gazette, an official government publication, signifying the government s position on flagging the bill to go through the legislative process. A certificate of financial implications was also provided and the bill was read for its first reading

  6. PASSING THE AHB 2023 The AHB 2023 was first passed 21 March 2023 but was returned to parliament by the President. The Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs reviewed the concerns and proposals made by the President regarding distinguishing between being a homosexual and actually engaging in acts of homosexuality. The President said the law should be clear so that what is being criminalized is not the state of one having a deviant proclivity but rather the actions of one acting on the deviance or promoting the same. Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 the second time on 02 May 2023 with amendments to five clauses following proposals by President Yoweri Museveni.

  7. 7 KEY PROVISIONS OF THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT Section 3 : Aggravated homosexuality Section 4: Punishment for child offender Section 6: Consent to sexual act is no defence The ACT prescribes death sentence sentence on conviction. Imprisonment of children for a period not exceeding three years. The consent of a person to commit a sexual act does not constitute a defence to a charge Creates the offence of attempted aggravated homosexuality, punishable by imprisonment for up to 14 years. A Seven year and Ten year sentence for property owners and allowing LGBTIQ people to have housing A ten-year sentence for a couple, their wedding guests and witnesses Section 10: Prohibition of same sex Marriage Section 9: Premises AHB2023

  8. 8 TRIGGER WARNING AHB2023

  9. IMPACT ON LGBT+ COMMUNITY HYPERVISIBILITY AHB2023 9

  10. IMPACT ON LGBT+ COMMUNITY HOMOPHOBIC ATTACKS, HATE CRIME AND DISCRIMINATION AHB2023 10

  11. SOCIAL LISTENING Using technology we have been able sentiments in media across the board emotions of anger and disgust towards LGBTIQ+ persons in Uganda. In this graph we 16,000 sentiments of disgust on all media platforms in Uganda alone in the last four months. to track indicating see almost AHB2023 11

  12. THE EVOLUTION OF THE ANTI- GENDER MOVEMENT AHB2023 12 The First African Regional Inter-Parliamentary Conference and Dialogue on the Global Challenges to the Protection of the African Child, the African Family, and African Culture and Values was held from March 30 to April 1, 2023 in Kampala, Uganda A silent, but integral partner in this was the U.S.-based Mormon NGO Family Watch International (FWI). While FW attempted to scrub their presence from this event, there is ample evidence of their coordinating role in the design and implementation. FWI is led by Sharon Slater who has spent years cultivating relationships and developing international and sub-regional partners who oppose LGBTI rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Slater holds key positions in partner organizations like the Political Network for Values (PNfV), and FWI has formally collaborated with many organizations that participated conference. of the individuals in the and Uganda

  13. AHB2023 13 FAMILY WATCH INTERNATIONAL The Ugandan inter-parliamentary convening came two weeks after the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which took place in New York City. There, FWI worked closely with the Nigerian mission to the United Nations to organize several side events that showcased some of the participants who were in Uganda for the parliamentary convening. The lengths to which FWI hid itself as an organizer of this meeting was very revealing and suggests that FWI sees a PR peril in going public. Several examples of how they were obfuscating their role in the Uganda convening include: Sharon Slater and her husband, Gregory Slater, not identifying themselves on the program but rather using their middle names, and in the case of Sharon Slater, her maiden name instead; they are billed on the agenda as Deon Ruff and Greg Scott United Nations annual Sharon Slater speaking to President Museveni at the conference break

  14. 14 IT IS OUR DUTY TO FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM. IT IS OUR DUTY TO WIN. WE MUST LOVE EACH OTHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER. WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT OUR CHAINS. Assata Shakur AHB2023

  15. AHB2023 15 MOVING FORWARD We continue our almost 20-year journey to advocate for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda through campaigns, education, and awareness programs. We continue to engage even in this trying time to push for legal reforms that protect the rights of LGBT+ individuals in Uganda and we will defeat this legislation yet again. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring safety and security by actively reacting to human rights violations, collaborating with policymakers, and leading in mobilizing and organizing the LGBTIQ movement in Uganda.

  16. Pepe Julian Onziema Email: onziema@gmail.com Mobile: +256-772-370-674 LinkedIn: Pepe Julian Onziema Socials: @Opimva THANK YOU

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