Survey: Public Opinion on Uganda’s Anti-LGBTQ Law

The Ugandan lawmakers’ recent approval of some of the world’s harshest anti-gay laws is a blatant violation of human rights and has drawn widespread condemnation. The legislation imposes up to 20 years in prison and even the death penalty for some crimes committed by LGBTQ+ individuals.

This legislation is a further crackdown on LGBTQ+ individuals in a country where same-sex relations were already illegal and punishable by life imprisonment. It goes even further and targets an array of activities, including a ban on promoting and abetting homosexuality and a conspiracy to engage in homosexuality.

Is It a Step Backward?

It is argued by most that this new law goes against the basic human rights of freedom of expression, association, privacy, equality, and nondiscrimination. The death penalty can be invoked for cases involving “aggravated homosexuality,” a broad term used in the legislation to describe sex acts committed without consent or under duress against children, people with mental or physical disabilities, by a “serial offender,” or involving incest. The legislation has drawn strong criticism from activists and civil rights organizations within Uganda and internationally.

On the other hand, it is concerning that some argue that this law reinforces the cultural values of the conservative society to which the country belongs. However, it is important to recognize that these values should never be prioritized over basic human rights. Enforcing this law would further stigmatize and harm the LGBTQ+ community, leading to discrimination and violence.

Reinforcing Cultural Values or Violating Basic Human Rights?

Netizens are claiming that this legislation is a step backward for human rights in Uganda and needs to be strongly condemned. Resonating that thought, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted that the bill “would undermine fundamental human rights of all Ugandans.” He added, “We urge the Ugandan Government to strongly reconsider the implementation of this legislation.”

“The LGBTQ community has basically been told, you can’t raise your head, you can’t be seen, you can’t be heard,” said the Ugandan LGBTQ activist Richard Lusimbo, and Human Rights Watch opposed the new legislation, calling it a “more egregious version,” of the pre-existing laws.

With the population split between those for and against the law, Real Research launched a survey to gain a better understanding of people’s opinions regarding the law and how it may be perceived in the international forum. Additionally, this survey aims to determine if this law will impact Uganda’s economy and tourism in any way. Hence, hurry and answer the survey on “Public Opinion on Uganda’s Anti-LGBTQ Law” on the Real Research app by March 30, 2023. After that, you will receive 60 TNCs as a reward.