The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 has once again become a topic of concern in Uganda as it is set to be retabled on Tuesday. The bill, which criminalises acts of homosexuality, aggravated homosexuality, promotion of homosexuality, child grooming, and other offences, has faced backlash from human rights groups and the international community.

LGBT persons in Uganda have been particularly concerned about the implications of the bill. Under the proposed law, individuals who engage in same-sex activity could face life imprisonment, and repeat offenders could be sentenced to death. This harsh punishment has been criticised as a violation of human rights and an infringement on the basic freedoms of LGBT individuals.

On Thursday last week, the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee scrutinised the bill after it was returned by President Museveni for reconsideration. The committee chairperson, Ms Robinah Rwakooja, announced that they would have their report ready for tabling on Tuesday after considering the President’s proposals in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday the same week.

Ms Rwakooja revealed that they had come up with proposals on what to do after considering the President’s letter. The committee was to finalise and sign the report on Friday last week, and to be presented on Tuesday at 10 am. President Museveni returned the bill on Wednesday the same week after holding back-to-back meetings with legislators to reach a harmonised position.

The President wanted Parliament to penalise the act of homosexuality and not individuals who identify as homosexuals. He also proposed that the law incorporates rehabilitation aspects for those unwillingly recruited or those who want to reform. He also wanted to drop the mandate for any individual to report acts of homosexuality.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa asked the committee to process the bill expeditiously, which he said is highly anticipated by Ugandans. Ms Rwakooja did not reveal whether there was a consensus among the committee members on the President’s proposals. She said they had come up with agreements on some things and that they would know if there was a consensus when they vote in the House.

The bill has been a contentious issue in Uganda, with human rights groups and the international community calling for its rejection. The United Nations (UN) and other human rights bodies have condemned the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023, with calls to President Museveni not to sign the Bill into law.

The re-introduction of the bill has sparked fears among LGBT persons in Uganda, who fear for their safety and freedom since March 2023. The bill’s harsh punishment for same-sex activity is seen as a direct threat to the basic human rights of LGBT individuals in Uganda.

As the bill is set to be retabled on today Tuesday 2nd May 2023, many Ugandans and the international community will be watching closely to see the outcome of the committee’s report and the fate of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023.

In conclusion, the president of Uganda said that persons who are homosexuals should not be punished but the act is also controversial in a way. It seems that in both ways, LGBT persons in Uganda will still have their rights trampled on until being LGBT persons  in Uganda are no longer criminalised.

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