New Delhi: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday passed the world’s strictest law against homosexuals. Because of this, having a same-sex relationship can now be punished with life imprisonment to the death penalty. Same-sex relationships have been banned in Uganda before, but not with such severe punishment.
While passing the law, MPs called same-sex relationships against society’s values. Along with this, he has also taken an oath to follow the law properly. As soon as the law was passed, it has been criticized around the world. US President Joe Biden has threatened to impose sanctions on some Ugandan officials and reduce US investment there.
Under a new law in Uganda, having a same-sex relationship with a person under 18 or HIV-infected can be punishable by death..Also, promotion of homosexuality is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
However, there will be no punishment for simply being gay, lesbian or homosexual. Punishment will happen only when he engages in homosexual relations. However, Museveni’s instructions to MPs to drop the death penalty provision for ‘aggravated homosexuality’ were rejected by parliamentarians.
This means that repeat offenders can be given the death penalty. However, Uganda has not carried out the death penalty for many years. In early March, when the bill was sent to the President for his passage, it was dropped after the President objected to punishing someone for being gay.
Uganda is not the only country in Africa where same-sex relationships are banned. More than 30 countries have banned same-sex relationships.
Let us tell you that there is a debate going on in the Supreme Court on giving legal recognition to same-sex marriage in India. The government says our laws, society and values are against same-sex marriage.