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Homophobia is widespread on the African continent. The new law in Uganda now also affects trans people.
Why is? Uganda’s parliament has passed legislation providing for harsh penalties for same-sex relationships. It goes beyond a ban on homosexuality, which is already banned in Uganda. “The new law now also includes trans people,” says SRF Africa correspondent Samuel Burri.
What is the purpose of the law? “The main idea is that this should slow down the further spread of homosexuality,” says the correspondent. Proponents of the law argued it was about protecting children. On the African continent, the fear is widespread that homosexuals want to recruit children. “There are great reservations and fears about non-heterosexuals,” says the correspondent.
Legend:
In Uganda, LGBTQ activists have to hide. Image from 2014.
Keystone/AP Photo/Ben Curtis/
Where does this strong rejection of homosexuality and queer people in Uganda and Africa in general come from? Homosexuality is now illegal in a total of 32 countries on the African continent. On the one hand, Christian missionaries had a great influence on the sexual morality of the societies, on the other hand, according to Burri, many of the laws dated back to the colonial era. In countries that have been colonized by Britain, the laws in many places would still read like the British Criminal Code from over 50 years ago. In contrast to France, where the legislation was more liberal, it banned homosexuality.
What is the biggest problem faced by gays or trans people in Africa? “You get no legal protection,” says Burri. According to Burri, anyone who is thrown out of their home, beaten or raped because of their sexual orientation cannot go to the police to report the offence. Such incidents also happened in Kenya, where many LGBTQ activists have fled from Uganda.
Will the new law come into force in Uganda? The law article has yet to be submitted to President Yoweri Museveni. He can accept it or veto it. In 2014, the Ugandan judiciary blocked a law already approved by MPs and signed by President Museveni that punishes same-sex relationships with life imprisonment. The project sparked outrage around the world.