A bill which proposes a death penalty for any one engaging in aggravated homosexuality has been assented to by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. It is now an act/ law.
The Bill that was first passed by Parliament on 21 March 2023. However, it was returned to the House by the President who suggested there should be adjustments before he appends his signature.
And on Monday, May 29, the Speaker of Parliament informed the country that the Fountain of Honour had signed the bill into law.
“His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has executed his constitutional mandate as prescribed by Article 91 (3) (a) of the Constitution. He has assented to the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
As the Parliament of Uganda, we have answered the cries of our people. We have legislated to protect the sanctity of family as per Article 31 of the Constitution Uganda. We have stood strong to defend our culture and aspirations of our people as per objectives 19 & 24 of national objectives and directive principles of state policy.
I thank His Excellency, the president, for his steadfast action in the interest of Uganda. With a lot of humility, I thank my colleagues the Members of Parliament for withstanding all the pressure from bullies and doomsday conspiracy theorists in the interest of our country. By their action, we have lived by our motto: *For God and our Country.*
On behalf of the Parliament of Uganda, I thank the people of Uganda for the prayers and encouragement while we executed our mandate in line with Articles 1 and 79 of the Constitution. We shall always stand for and promote the interest of the people of Uganda.
I now encourage the duty bearers under the law to execute the mandate bestowed upon them in the Anti-Homosexuality Act. The people of Uganda have spoken, and it is your duty to now enforce the law in a fair, steadfast, and firm manner.” Rt Hon Anita Anette Among issued a statement.
The law provides for a three year imprisonment for a child convicted of the act of homosexuality which is in line with section 94(1) (g) of the Children Act, Cap 120.
The law proposes a life sentence in prison for an individual convicted of committing the offence of homosexuality, whereas attempt to perform the act would attract a seven year prison term.
Legislators agreed to a penalty of shs1 billion imposed on a legal entity convicted of promoting homosexuality.
