Human Rights Watch (HRW) have recently released a report, “They’re Putting Our Lives at Risk – How Uganda’s Anti-LGBT Climate Unleashes Abuse”. The report is based on interviews with 59 individuals including LGBT people, representatives of LGBT rights organizations, activists, journalists, and lawmakers.
Background
Since President Museveni came to power in 1986 his government has imposed restrictions on rights to free expression, assembly, and association. These restrictions have been particularly severe for LGBT people and those campaigning for LGBT rights. Discrimination against LGBT people has reached unprecedented levels, culminating with the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in May 2023. This Act is one of the harshest anti-LGBT laws in the world.
For two years before this LGBT people had been vilified as the media reported statements from politicians and government figures inciting hatred against LGBT people. This hostile environment led to a significant increase in attacks and harassment targeting LGBT people and the groups supporting them.
Museveni’s government
Changes in Ugandan law by Museveni’s government include:
Criminalisation of sexual acts between women
Prohibition of same-sex marriage
Imposing sentences of life imprisonment for same-sex sexual activity
Creating penalties for “promoting” homosexuality
Enabling the death penalty in some circumstances for “aggravated homosexuality”
In addition, the Ugandan police and government agencies have:
Raided and suspended nongovernmental organisations
Made arbitrary arrests and detentions
Engaged in entrapment through social media and dating apps
Extorted money from LGBT people as the price of their release from police custody
Subjected detainees to forcible anal examination
Arrested lawyers representing LGBT people
Furthermore, the Ugandan government has failed to hold to account those individuals who have committed acts of physical and sexual violence against LGBT people and who have harassed them online.
Citizen harassment
LGBT people have also been subjected to violence and harassment from their fellow citizens – and even from members of their own families.
Ugandan LGBT organisations documented 70 cases of physical violence directed against LGBT people between January and August 2023, coinciding with the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act through parliament. This violence included beatings, and sexual and psychological violence.
LGBT people were in addition subjected to:
Evictions
Loss of employment
Denial of access to healthcare
Blackmail
It has also been common for LGBT people to:
Be threatened with rape and death
Be outed against their will
Be ‘doxxed’ – having their identity revealed online
As a result of this harassment – both from the police and from their fellow citizens – many LGBT people have been forced to flee abroad in fear of their lives.
Sadly, the Anti-Homosexuality Act is supported by a clear majority of Ugandan citizens.
By Skeptic