“Atrocious homosexuality” is defined in the new law as repeated sex with people of the same sex or the transmission of HIV and AIDS. These actions are now punishable by death. “Promotion of homosexuality” will be punished with 20 years in prison. Even knowing about gay people without reporting them to the police is now a criminal offence. – This is the world’s strictest law against homosexuality. Both because the law has a large scope, but also because the penalties are harsh, says Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt, head of the Raftostiftelsen, to news. HIMSELF THINKS THE LAW IS TOO STRICT: 78-year-old Yoweri Museveni has ruled Uganda since 1986. He first sent the law back to parliament because he thought it did not allow gays to be “rehabilitated”. Photo: John Muchucha / AP – Dehumanizing people On Monday, President Yoweri Museveni used his gold pen to sign the law that makes it deadly for men to love men and women to love women. Homosexuality was already illegal in the small central African country. The same is the case in 30 other African countries. But now Uganda is going one step further. – It is a law that dehumanises people, says Hole Kobbeltvedt. – Uganda’s president has today legalized state-supported homophobia and transphobia, says Ugandan human rights activist Clare Byarugaba to Reuters. HAPPY: Speaker of Parliament Anita Among thanked President Museveni for approving the law which received wide support in the Ugandan parliament. Photo: ABUBAKER LUBOWA / Reuters – The people have been heard The law was first adopted with 387 votes in favor out of a possible 389 on 21 March this year. President Museveni first sent the law back to parliament, but quickly got it back, unchanged. Museveni’s choice to sign the law today therefore did not change what was likely to be the outcome anyway. Leader of the Ugandan parliament, Anita Among, says “the people have been heard”. – We have created a law that protects the sanctity of the family. We have shown strength by protecting our culture and the people’s wishes, says Among. – Opportunt Hole Kobbeltvedt in the Raftostiftelsen explains that the strong persecution of homosexuals in Uganda is a holdover from the colonial era. – The British came up with very strict laws against homosexuality during the Victorian era, he says. LONG-TERM ENGAGEMENT: Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt is head of the Rafto Foundation, which among other things gave the Rafto prize to the Ugandan gay activist Frank Mugisha in 2011. Photo: Ingvild Constance Festervoll Mel / Ingvild Constance Festervoll Melien But this has increased in recent years, explains Hole Kobbeltvedt. – This is due, among other things, to the spread of hate speech through social media, helped by conservative churches in the USA who also contribute financially to this. – At the same time, Uganda and Museveni are struggling with high living costs and food prices. Then it is opportune to direct the attention of the population towards a small minority, explains Hole Kobbeltvedt. He hopes the international community now stands united in condemning the anti-homosexuality law. Norway, the USA and the EU condemn Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Ap) was quick to condemn the Ugandan law. – This law threatens human rights and increases the persecution of all Ugandans. Norway is steadfast against the use of the death penalty under all circumstances, says Huitfeldt. US President Joe Biden has already announced possible sanctions against the African country. – This shameful act is the latest in a worrying series of abuses against human rights in Uganda, said Biden. The development aid to Uganda in 2021 was 2.5 billion dollars according to the World Bank. This corresponds to 6 percent of the country’s gross national product. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell says the decision will undermine Uganda’s relations with international partners.
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Uganda introduces the world’s strictest law against homosexuals – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
