Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill: ‘Think Again’, say Members of the European Parliament

Members of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights strongly call on the Parliament of Uganda to reject the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 (PDF). The bill contains provisions to outlaw and severely punish homosexuality, including by death. Several protests will be taking place worldwide from today onwards.

David Bahati, author of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (Credits: BBC)

Ugandan LGBT activists have expressed their gravest concerns towards the bill. According to Ugandan sources, the proposed legislation includes provisions to punish those alleged to be lesbian, gay or bisexual with life imprisonment and, in some cases, the death penalty; any parent or teacher failing to report their LGBT children or pupils to the authorities with a fine equivalent to USD2,650 or three years’ imprisonment; and landowners providing shelter to LGBT people with seven years’ imprisonment. The legislation would apply to Ugandan citizens both inside and outside of the country.

“I urge sensible politicians in Uganda to think again, and again, before supporting this deeply worrying bill. We will watch this situation very closely in consultation with NGOs and our EU and international partners”, said Michael Cashman MEP, Co-president of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights.

“I have visited Uganda twice and met so many proud, kind, helpful, open-minded heterosexual Ugandans, as well as lesbian, gay and transgender Ugandans,” said Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-president of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights. “I strongly appeal to Ugandan politicians to be as courageous as they were when overthrowing the Idi Amin regime, and not to ban Ugandan citizens from being free to love whomever they wish. Homosexuality is nothing Un-African; it has existed at all times and in all cultures.”