A Member of Parliament from Uganda who seats in the Committee of Legal Affairs has begun hearing views from different stakeholders on the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023.
According to The Daily Monitor, the bill seeks to prohibit same-sex relationships in Uganda and proposes punishing people who support or fund homosexuality.
The new bill prescribes life imprisonment for persons who will be found guilty of aggravated homosexuality, and persons who attempt to commit homosexuality.
Also Read: Peter Kaluma Wants Homosexuality Punishable by Life Sentence
Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa, argued that the act is against the order of nature and that punitive action must be taken against the proponents to prevent victims from suffering.
Speaking before the committee, Basalirwa expressed concern that the aspect of punishing married people who engage in anal or oral penetrative sex was lacking in the bill.
He further defended the lighter sentences proposed in the bill, stating that they were deliberate to deflate international opposition.
“I am proposing that the sentence be increased to life imprisonment as it is in the penal code,” he said, referring to aggravated homosexuality that involves engaging in the act with a minor or when the perpetrator is living with HIV or is a parent to the victim.
However, Fox Odoi argued that there was no need for additional legislation as there are already legal provisions prohibiting same-sex marriage. He also noted that there was no basis for stopping a married man from having anal sex with his wife.
“When you are talking about protecting the women in marriage, are you only talking about protecting the anus of the women or you are talking about all the other things I have talked about?” he added.
Odoi also pointed out that there is no statistical evidence indicating that homosexuality is on the rise. Instead, the biggest problem, according to police statistics, is defilement.
The proposed bill has received widespread criticism from international human rights groups, with many arguing that it would lead to the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Legal Affairs committee will continue to hear views from various stakeholders before making a decision on the bill.
