Post date: Dec 23, 2013 6:13:59 PM
Gay right activists in Uganda say they will challenge a law passed in the country's parliament on Friday that makes some homosexual acts punishable by life in prison.
KAMPALA, UGANDA (DECEMBER 23, 2013) (REUTERS) - Gay rights activists in Uganda held a news conference on Monday (December 23) to outline their response to a new anti-gay law passed in Uganda's parliament passed on Friday (December 20).
The law makes some homosexual acts punishable by life in prison, a move that raised alarm among gays who are already afraid to express their sexuality openly.Kasha Jacqueline said rights activists would challenge the law in court and appeal to courts outside of Uganda if necessary.
"If we fail in the courts of Uganda, we shall go to the African court. And if we fail in the African court, we shall go to the international court. Because - the reason why we are actually not already in court when this bill was passed, because you cannot challenge something that is not already passed. When it was proposed in parliament we couldn't challenge it because you cannot challenge something that is not passed. But now that it's passed it has actually made us stronger, it has paved a way, a shorter way for us to go to the constitutional court. And for us that's one positive thing we have seen about this, despite all the setbacks."
She also warned that the anti-gay law could damage Uganda's economic prospects and encouraged LGBT travellers to stay away.
"This act is a threat to the economic and social development of this country. We want to inform all Lesbian Bisexual Transgender tourists and all friends and allies coming to Uganda that this is now a no go area zone as the parliament made it very clear that you are not welcome here."
Countries including the United States previously criticised the bill when it came before parliament.Germany cut off aid to Uganda late last year citing the bill as one of its concerns.
Widespread criticism of the law, and resistance from the executive which is wary of antagonising western donors, stalled its passage. But parliament has also been under pressure to push it through, especially from mainstream and evangelical churches.
Rights activist Pepe Onziema stressed that homosexuality cannot be legislated out of existence.
"Whether you pass the bill or not, it is not going to change us from being LGBTs, it is not going to change us from being gay, it's not going to stop us from speaking out, it's not going to stop us from showing our faces. So we come out here today to show you that we are still here. We are resilient and we are challenging the spirit of this bill."
Homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda, but the new law prohibits the "promotion" of gay rights and punishes anyone who "funds", "sponsors" or "abets" homosexuality.
Homosexuality is taboo in many African countries. It is illegal in 37 nations on the continent, and activists say few Africans are openly gay, fearing imprisonment, violence and losing their jobs.