At least they got rid of the death penalty - 14 years in jail for the crime of being homosexual

[itshardthinkingofanickname]

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/uganda-antigay-bill-signed-by-president-museveni-despite-international-outcry-9149808.html

So another country where it's illegal to be homosexual.

[17leftfeet]

Did I read that right?

Life in prison for repeated having consensual sex?

Excuse me while I just pick my jaw up off the floor

[17leftfeet]

Did I read that right?

Life in prison for repeated having consensual sex?

Excuse me while I just pick my jaw up off the floor

[17leftfeet]

Did I read that right?

Life in prison for repeated having consensual sex?

Excuse me while I just pick my jaw up off the floor

[17leftfeet]

Stupid phone

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Utterly dreadful. Uganda is a wonderful country but this is a horrible piece of legislation. Part of the issue is the colonial legacy which makes countries like Uganda very keen to forge their own path, a lot of which is based on very strict Christianity. Having been in Uganda, driving through village after village where the only brick building was the Church I can't say I'm surprised.

Does this mean that gay people in Uganda can apply for refugee status based on sexuality? No idea if that works.

[itshardthinkingofanickname]

They should do - but the Home Office seems to have some bizarre and stereotpyical ways of identifying gay people.

[TheSporkforeatingkyriarchy]

Uganda's anti-gay laws are far more to do with the involvement of Anglo Christians who raise money to get these laws in place (and the Christianity that was imposed upon Uganda during colonization). Pretty much all the experts lay this as a colonial relic (such as the churches being the only buildings in an area, the only things they supported in building) and outside influence rather than trying to "forge their own path"

I find it interesting that this is getting so much attention, when India's fight to repeal anti-gay laws imposed upon them by them during British occupation is mostly getting ignored.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Well, that is how they see this to a certain extent. I agree that, of course, Christianity is an import but one that is very important there. Much as I disagree with this, there is no ignoring that countries such as Uganda and Russia dislike being told what to do by the liberal West.

Neo- and post-colonialism is a messy business and one that African nations are trying to navigate.