The signing follows the recent second amendments proposed by President to parliament
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA— Access Chapter 2 (AC2) is appalled by the news of president Yoweri Museveni assenting the draconian Ugandan “Anti-homosexuality Bill” into law. Following a few months of global outrage and pressure from human rights institutions, activists, world leaders as well as Multinational corporations, Uganda still chose the difficult option. The choice to dehumanize few for the protection of the outdated, patriarchal as well as misogynist ideas of what defines “family values” and the protection of children. Through this bill, Museveni and his government will clamp down, not only on LGBTQ+ activities, but anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ in Uganda. We believe that the conclusion of the bill will affect the safety of LGBTQ+ people in that country, notwithstanding the already volatile environment, since its introduction in parliament. This Bill is in direct contravention of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and clearly duplicates the country’s existing Penal Code which already criminalizes same-sex sexual acts.
We maintain that this is by far the most draconian law in Africa which does not only target the LGBTQ+ community, but also compels everyone to report individuals they know or suspect to be identifying as LGBTQ+. We therefore call upon the South African government to speak out and call out President Museveni on the bigotry of his parliament for condemning human beings for who they choose to love. Furthermore Uganda must be condemned for its deliberate abuse of human rights. This is in line with the tenets of Resolution 275 of the African Commission, which expresses grave concern about increasing violence and other human rights violations, including murder, rape, and assault, in respect of persons based on their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
AC2 Executive Director Steve Letsike “This new law is deadly, dangerous and seeks to double the efforts that are already harsh that imposes sanctions on LGBTI people. A clear state and legislative funded humophobia. The President and Ugandan law makers clearly does not care about the rights of minorities. They are abusing their power to actualize conversion practices and criminalize LGBTI people. It is a shame on Museveni, a shame of African countries that remains silent when rights are being violated. Uganda must be sanctioned totally. It is a shame and spit on the graves of struggle heroes that fought for freedom, and a spit on the parents of LGBTI people and the LGBTI people in Africa. Uganda must know we will not stop until everyone is free, their oppressive laws, won’t stop us be ourselves in our continent”.
As AC2, we call upon the global diplomatic community apply economic sanctions against Uganda as well as travel bans for Ugandan members of parliament and diplomats in the face of this gross abuse of human rights. This harmful legislation has the potential to fuel the already volatile environment for queer persons in that country. We believe leaders will be justified in sanctioning Uganda. We also welcome the recently lodged notice of presentation of a petition against the Anti-homosexuality Bill at the Ugandan Constitutional Court. We believe that this litigation process should be an important undertaking for all who have the best interest of Uganda’s Queer community.
—Statement end—
For media enquiries please call: Mpho Buntse- AC2 Communications Officer, Tel: 010 100 3177 Cell: 0687796296 E-mail: associate@ac2.org.
