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The Archbishop of Uganda has welcomed the passing of stringent new legal guidelines towards homosexuality in his nation however says these discovered responsible must be given life imprisonment as a substitute of the dying penalty.
Despite sturdy condemnation from the UN and Western international locations, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni gave his assent to the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 on Monday.
Same-sex relations had been already unlawful in Uganda however beneath this new regulation, “aggravated homosexuality” involving intercourse with a minor, having intercourse whereas HIV constructive, or of an incestuous nature, is punishable by dying. Promoting homosexuality carries a 20-year jail sentence.
In an announcement, Archbishop Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu mentioned he “welcomes” the work of the president and Ugandan parliament in crafting the Act.
“The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 is nice and we’re grateful to the President for assenting to it,” he mentioned.
The Archbishop mentioned that the brand new Act would supply better safety to youngsters by “sturdy anti-grooming measures” and “sturdy restrictions on promotion”, and by not permitting these convicted to work with youngsters.
The assertion from the Archbishop repeated the Church of Uganda’s opposition to the dying penalty and mentioned that though it discovered “aggravated homosexuality” to be “grievous”, it will “proceed to suggest life imprisonment as a substitute”.
The Archbishop additionally urged that homosexuality was being compelled on Uganda towards its will by overseas international locations and contended that heterosexual relationships had been “the African means” and “the Biblical means”.
“Homosexuality is at present a problem in Uganda as a result of it’s being compelled on us by outdoors, overseas actors towards our will, towards our tradition, and towards our non secular beliefs. They disguise themselves as ‘human rights activists,’ however are corrupting actual human rights by including LGBTQ to their agenda,” he mentioned.
“Those international locations that legalized homosexuality a very long time in the past have seen a long-time decline of their inhabitants development. In reality, a lot of these international locations at the moment are confronted with the issue of unfavorable inhabitants development. Negative inhabitants development results in the collapse of nations, cultures, civilizations, and economies.
“We are grateful the President has assented and signed into regulation the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023. This ensures that Uganda doesn’t set a authorized precedent that can be tough to beat sooner or later.
“The LGBTQ-affirming international locations have proven us the unfavorable penalties. We thank the President for not surrendering to their threats and for safeguarding Uganda from their paths of self-destruction.”
The Act has been extensively condemned, together with by the UK authorities, which has mentioned it’s “appalled”.
“Democracy is determined by the assure of equal rights beneath regulation and freedom from discrimination for everybody in society,” mentioned authorities minister Andrew Mitchell.
“This laws undermines the protections and freedoms of all Ugandans enshrined within the Ugandan Constitution. It will enhance the chance of violence, discrimination and persecution, will set again the combat towards HIV/AIDs, and can harm Uganda’s worldwide popularity.”
The new legal guidelines have additionally been criticised by Christians who take a traditionalist view on marriage and sexuality.
John Stevens, National Director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) within the UK, mentioned on Twitter, “As a Christian I could not help the cruel criminalisation of homosexuality in Uganda beneath new legal guidelines handed yesterday.”
He added, “In retrospect criminalisation in [the] UK didn’t work, didn’t scale back homosexuality and most conclude it was a mistake as unfair/pointless/ineffective.”
