President Yoweri Museveni has assented to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023.

The move, which has turned the Bill into an Act, means that it has now become law and, therefore, criminalises homosexuality in Uganda.

Parliament on May 2, 2023, passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 after Museveni returned it to the House for reconsideration.

Museveni’s assent to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was announced by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among on Monday, May 29, 2023, in a tweet.

A signed copy of the Bill at Parliament on Monday. Photo by Edith Namayanja

“His Excellency, the President of the republic of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has executed his constitutional mandate as prescribed by Article 91 (3) (a) of the Constitution. He has assented to the Anti-Homosexuality Act [sic]. As the Parliament of Uganda, we have answered the cries of our people,” Among said.

The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 provides for the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality (sex acts committed without consent or under duress, against children, people with mental or physical disabilities by a serial offender or involving incest.

The new law also provides for a life sentence in prison for an individual convicted of committing the offence of homosexuality.