Ugandan media houses that air LGBTQ content will risk revocation of licenses
The Ugandan Parliament recently passed an anti-gay bill that has been termed as one of the harshest anti-homosexual bill.
Speaker of Uganda’s National Assembly Anita Among said the House would not shy away from protecting the rights, sovereignty, morals and culture of Ugandans.
If President Yoweri Museveni signs the bill into law, anyone found engaging in same-sex relationships or identifies as LGBTQ will face a 10-year jail term.
Also read: Julius Malema’s party condemns Uganda’s harsh anti-homosexuality bill
But that is not all, the Ugandan government has now listed a number of offenses linked to homosexuality and their penalties.
“The Parliament of Uganda has unanimously considered and passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 with maximum penalty of death sentence and imprisonment for other offenses,” the notice reads in part.
Even the media has not been spared with the bill proposing a heavy penalty for media houses that published LGBTQ content.
The offenses and penalties are as follows:
1. Persons convicted of aggravated homosexuality – Death
2. Person who commits the offence of homosexuality – 20 years
3. Person convicted of promotion of homosexuality – 20 years
4. Person recruiting children into homosexuality – 20 years
5. Person who has committed the attempted aggravated homosexuality – 14 years
6. Person who has been convicted of attempted homosexuality – 10 years
7. The owner of the premises that promote homosexuality – 10 years
8. Child found guilty of homosexuality – 3 years
9. Media houses that published materials that promote homosexuality – fine 1billion shillings and license revoked for 10 years
Also read: US may halt HIV/AIDS funding to Uganda over controversial anti-gay bill
The anti-gay law has sparked widespread condemnation from the western and human rights activists.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has urged President Museveni not to sign the bill into law.
Amnesty International has also appealed to President Museveni to reject the “appalling” legislation, describing it as a “grave assault” on LGBTQ people.
On the other hand, President Museveni’s controversial son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has responded by saying LGBTQ sympathizers have the option of leaving the country.