Life

LGBTQ+ activists to demonstrate against Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill

By Conor Clark

25th April 2023

LGBTQ+ activists in the UK will join with a grassroots coalition of LGBTQ+ rights, health and asylum groups in protesting Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

On 25 April at 5:30pm, they will hold a peaceful demonstration outside the Uganda House in Trafalgar Square, London to show their opposition to the country’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

In its current form, the legislation would see capital and life-imprisonment sentences for gay sex, up to 14 years for what it describes as “attempted” homosexuality and 20 years for “recruitment, promotion and funding” of same-sex “activities”.

Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, refused to sign the bill, instead returning it to Parliament with an order that it be made even harsher.

LGBTQ+ Ugandan civil society groups have been calling for international allies to apply pressure through political, diplomatic, economic and public means on the Museveni administration, resulting in an Emergency Global Day of Action on 25 April.

READ MORE: Uganda’s president rejects anti-LGBTQ+ bill for not being tough enough

The organisations set to be in attendance at the protest include the UK Alliance for Global Equality, UK Black Pride, ACT-UP London, Rainbow Migration, Peter Tatchell Foundation and STOPAIDS.

“The Uganda Bill would outlaw almost every aspect of LGBT+ existence, including LGBT+ identity, advocacy, funding and organisation,” said Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation and one of the UK’s most prominent human rights activists.

“The bill violates Sections 2 and 4 of the Commonwealth Charter. It also breaches Article 21 of the Uganda constitution & Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter of Human & People’s Rights – all of which guarantee equal treatment and prohibit discrimination.”

Edwin Sesange of the African Equality Foundation, who is from Uganda, stated that “Uganda must respect human rights, uphold the values of the Commonwealth Charter and stop exercising impunity and immunity with its persecution of LGBTI people.”

READ MORE: LGBTQ+ Kenyans and Ugandans hide from wave of homophobic abuse

Clare Byarugaba, human rights activist at Chapter Four Uganda and co-organiser of Convening for Equality, added: “As a proud lesbian Ugandan woman…let me be clear that this bill is designed to eliminate people like me from my home country and it must be defeated.

“The solidarity shown by activists and community members worldwide…is essential in this fight. We must reiterate to Museveni that the world is watching and not stay silent as our human rights are trampled on.”

The protest against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill will take place on 25 April at 5:30pm at the Uganda House in Trafalgar Square, London.