In Uganda, being gay can now cost you your life. And the law passed with 341 votes to 1.

 ⚖️ In Uganda, being gay can now cost you your life. And the law passed with 341 votes to 1.

On May 29, 2023, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law — and the world reacted with a mix of outrage, disbelief, and for many Ugandans, pure fear.

Here's what the law actually says.

Same-sex relations between consenting adults — life imprisonment. Attempting same-sex relations — up to 10 years in prison. "Aggravated homosexuality," defined as same-sex acts involving minors, disabled individuals, or HIV-positive people — the death penalty. Even promoting homosexuality or supporting organizations that do — up to 20 years behind bars.

A 20-year-old man became the first person prosecuted under the law just months after it passed — facing the death penalty. 

Homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda before this. But this law didn't just tighten existing rules — it rewrote them entirely.

It ended lives as people had known them. Families turned on each other. Landlords evicted tenants. People fled to neighboring countries or went into hiding overnight. Organizations scrambled to help people escape. 

Amnesty International called it "a desperately dark day for LGBTI rights and for Uganda." 

The international response was swift and sharp.

President Biden called it "a tragic violation of universal human rights." The US imposed visa restrictions on Ugandan officials. Sweden cut aid. Uganda was removed from a US tariff-free trade program worth billions.

Uganda's parliament speaker had a different view. She said Museveni had simply "answered the cries of our people."