Historically, homosexuality was not a criminal offense in Uganda
Uganda’s Turbulent History of LGBT Rights: A Struggle for Acceptance and Equality
The history of LGBT rights in Uganda is a tumultuous one, with deeply ingrained cultural, religious and political attitudes towards homosexuality making it a difficult place for LGBT people to live freely and openly.
Despite some progress in recent years, the struggle for LGBT rights in Uganda is ongoing and often fraught with danger.
Historically, homosexuality was not a criminal offense in Uganda.
However, when the British colonized Uganda in the late 1800s, they introduced anti-sodomy laws, which criminalized homosexual acts between men.
These laws were later incorporated into Uganda’s penal code after independence in 1962.
In the 1980s, Uganda experienced a surge in conservative Christian evangelism, which further solidified negative attitudes towards homosexuality.
This was also a time of political instability, with dictator Idi Amin’s regime followed by the brutal reign of the National Resistance Army under Yoweri Museveni.
Homosexuality was often associated with political opposition and seen as a threat to the government’s power.
In the early 2000s, there was a growing movement of LGBT activists in Uganda, led by organizations like Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG).
These activists faced extreme hostility and violence from government officials, religious leaders and the general public.
The media often portrayed homosexuality as a Western import that threatened Ugandan culture and values.
In 2009, a bill was introduced in Uganda’s parliament that would have increased penalties for homosexual acts, including life imprisonment for those convicted of “aggravated homosexuality” (defined as same-sex acts committed by a person living with HIV, or with a person under the age of 18).
The bill also criminalized the “promotion of homosexuality” and required people to report suspected homosexual activity to the authorities.
The proposed legislation sparked international outrage and condemnation, with human rights groups and foreign governments calling for it to be scrapped.
The bill was eventually passed by Uganda’s parliament in 2013, but was struck down by the country’s Constitutional Court in 2014 on a technicality.
The court ruled that the bill had been passed without a quorum, and therefore was null and void.
However, the ruling did not address the constitutionality of the bill itself, leaving open the possibility that it could be reintroduced in the future.
Despite the setback, LGBT Ugandans continue to face discrimination and violence.
There have been reports of police raids on LGBT events, violent attacks against LGBT individuals and organizations, and widespread discrimination in housing, healthcare and employment.
The situation is particularly dire for transgender people, who face extreme prejudice and are often subjected to physical and sexual violence.
There have been some positive developments in recent years, however. In 2016, former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi became the first Ugandan presidential candidate to openly oppose homophobia.
And in 2017, several police officers from the Kampala Metropolitan Police Area were ordered to attend a workshop on LGBT rights, aimed at teaching officers to appreciate that minorities have rights that should be respected.
There are also signs that attitudes towards LGBT people in Uganda are slowly changing.
A poll carried out by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) in 2017 found that 59% of Ugandans agreed that gay, lesbian and bisexual people should enjoy the same rights as straight people, and that 56% believed they should be protected from workplace discrimination.
Similarly, 60% of Ugandans agreed that transgender people should have the same rights, and 62% believed they should be protected from employment discrimination.
While progress is being made, the struggle for LGBT rights in Uganda is far from over.
Activists continue to face threats, violence and persecution, and there is still a some signs of progress, the LGBT community continues to face widespread discrimination and violence.
However, the emergence of LGBT rights organizations and a shift in public opinion offer some hope for the future.
It is vital that the international community continues to support the LGBT community in Uganda and advocates for their rights.
Only then can we hope to see a future where all individuals are treated equally, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
