End Homophobia wrist band, Dec 2010. © Felix Masi/Demotix

The Ugandan Parliament is right now preparing to debate the Anti-Homosexuality Bill which, if passed, would entrench hatred and discrimination against those who are or believed to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

This discriminatory bill goes much further than the Ugandan Penal Code which already outlaws consensual sex between individuals of the same sex. In its current draft, life sentences may be imposed for consensual sexual conduct between people of the same sex and even more worryingly it may  still even allow the use of the death penalty for the offence of “aggravated homosexuality”.

LGBT people in Uganda have been endlessly harassed, attacked and kept under close surveillance. They are already frequently evicted from their homes, have their offices broken into and get accused of ‘recruiting’ children to become gay.  Bringing in legislation to further target and persecute LGBT people will only see this treatment worsen. 

We urgently need you to put pressure on the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to stop the Bill from being passed.