International outcry as Uganda’s anti-gay bill signed into law
- The draconian measures against homosexuality, under which repeat offenders could face the death penalty, have been described as among the world’s harshest
- Biden called for a repeal of the bill, threatening to cut aid and investment; the legislation was also condemned by other Western powers and rights groups
![A gay Ugandan couple cover themselves with a pride flag as they pose for a photograph in Uganda in March. Photo: AP](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2023/05/30/a852a62e-3189-46d9-93e1-03a7668f1747_146975bd.jpg?itok=-jY58DW0&v=1685396682)
Uganda announced on Monday that President Yoweri Museveni had signed into law draconian new measures against homosexuality described as among the world’s harshest, prompting condemnation from human rights and LGBTQ groups as well as Western powers.
US President Joe Biden called for the immediate repeal of the measures he slammed as “a tragic violation of universal human rights”, and threatened to cut aid and investment in the east African country.
Museveni’s office said the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 was among six pieces of legislation the president signed into law on Sunday.
Lawmakers passed a new draft of the legislation earlier this month, vowing to resist what they said was outside interference in their efforts to protect Uganda’s values from Western immorality.
![Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni speaks during an event in Kampala, Uganda in October 2022. Photo: AP Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni speaks during an event in Kampala, Uganda in October 2022. Photo: AP](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2023/05/30/719e4df0-4af9-480f-94e8-64a0c64a677d_649bdf04.jpg)
The amended version said that identifying as gay would not be criminalised but “engaging in acts of homosexuality” would be an offence punishable with life imprisonment.
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