Uganda’s most prominent LGBTQ activist says newly upheld anti-gay law will prompt violence
Uganda’s most prominent LGBTQ activist condemned a constitutional court’s decision to uphold an anti-gay law that permits the death penalty in certain cases.
Uganda’s most prominent LGBTQ activist condemned a constitutional court’s decision Wednesday to uphold an anti-gay law that permits the death penalty in certain cases.
Speaking with NBC News from New York City, Frank Mugisha called the ruling a form of “state-sanctioned homophobia” and said he is bracing for violence in the East African nation.
“This ruling intensifies violations towards the LGBT community,” Mugisha said. “It is like the judges have told Ugandans: ‘Go and get violent towards the LGBTQ community.’”
Ugandans around the world have protested the anti-gay legislation.Mark Kerrison / In Pictures via Getty Images fileUgandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the legislation into law last year, drawing condemnation from LGBTQ activists from around the world. Conversely, the law has broad support among the country’s population.
The law allows the death penalty in cases of “aggravated homosexuality,” which it defines as cases of same-sex relations involving a minor and other categories of vulnerable people, or when one of the individuals has HIV. A suspect convicted of “attempted aggravated homosexuality” can be imprisoned for up to 14 years, and the offense of “attempted homosexuality” is punishable by up to 10 years.
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