Museveni, MPs agree to return Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 to Parliament

President Yoweri Museveni has today met the Parliamentary Legal Committee at State House Entebbe led by their Chairperson Hon. Robina Rwakoojo and agreed on the way forward as regards the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

The Legal Committee will report to the August House on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and communicate to the public later.

“I have met the Legal Committee of Parliament and we have agreed on the way forward which they are going to report to the bigger body on the Bill of Anti-Homosexuals. The Details will be communicated to the Public in due course,” President Museveni said.

The Bill that was passed by Parliament on Tuesday, 21 March 2023, will see anyone engaging in acts of homosexuality facing 20 years in jail.

The Private Member’s Bill was introduced by Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliament, Hon. Asuman Basalirwa 09 March 2023.

Legislators argued that the provisions embedded in the Bill seek to protect the traditional family by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex and the promotion of such acts.

The Bill also seeks to address the gaps in other laws in Uganda including the Penal Code Act, Cap 120, as well as supplement provisions of the Constitution by criminalizing same-sex acts.

While considering the Bill, legislators agreed to a penalty of shs1 billion imposed on a legal entity convicted of promoting homosexuality.
The Bill proposes a life sentence in prison for an individual convicted of committing the offence of homosexuality, whereas an attempt to perform the act would attract a seven-year prison term.

The Bill 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.

However, during an interaction with members of the NRM Parliamentary caucus at Kololo Independence grounds on Thursday, Museveni suggested that the bill be amended to include a provision for amnesty for those who come out voluntarily to receive help for their disorientation.

The President expressed concern about psychologically disoriented people and asked MPs to make corrections that would not frighten those who need rehabilitation to come out.

He then promised to meet the Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament, the sponsor of the motion Hon. Asuman Basalirwa, and other interested parties to finalize the bill, which they did today.