Recently, Uganda’s lawmakers approved some of the harshest anti-gay laws, which has drawn both widespread condemnations in international forums and support from many locals.

The legislation, targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, imposes strict punishments of up to 20 years in prison and, in some cases, the death penalty. This legislation goes beyond criminalizing same-sex relationships, including a ban on promoting and abetting homosexuality, and a conspiracy to engage in homosexuality.

While many argue this new law goes against the fundamental human rights of freedom of expression, association, privacy, equality, and non-discrimination, some believe it reinforces conservative cultural values in Ugandan society.

However, many human rights activists believe this law could further stigmatize and harm the LGBTQ+ community, leading to discrimination and violence. The bill has drawn strong criticism from activists and civil rights organizations within Uganda and internationally.

Netizens are calling it a step backward for human rights in Uganda, while some groups support it as a reflection of their cultural beliefs. This prompted Real Research, an online survey app, to conduct a survey to gain public opinion on Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law and understand people’s perspectives on this newly passed law.

Key Highlights

  • Over 35% anticipate negative reactions from the LGBTQ community to Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law.
  • 38% oppose the death penalty and imprisonment for LGBTQ individuals or their associates.
  • Almost 21% claim that enacting such a law does not always result in discrimination.

A Threat to Equality and Non-Discrimination

Based on the data received from the survey, there is minimal awareness among the public regarding the recent news on Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law. Specifically, only 26.13% of respondents were fully aware of the law, while 31.89% had some level of awareness, and the majority (41.98%) had no knowledge of the news.

anti-LGBTQ-law-passed-by-the-Ugandan-government
Fig 1: Awareness of the recent anti-LGBTQ law passed by the Ugandan government

Despite this, the majority of respondents (48.91%) opposed the law, with 22.19% strongly disagreeing and 26.72% somewhat disagreeing. In contrast, a minority of the population agreed with the anti-LGBTQ law. Precisely, 7.38% somewhat agreed with the law, 4.85% strongly agreed, and 38.86% remained neutral.

LGBTQ Community Under Siege

Results reveal that a surprising majority of the respondents, amounting to 60.66%, believe that the LGBTQ community across the world will react negatively to Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law.

Out of this percentage, 35.41% of the respondents anticipate an extremely negative reaction, while 25.25% expect a somewhat negative reaction. Meanwhile, 31.06% of the respondents remained neutral on the matter.

LGBTQ-community-on-Ugandas-anti-LGBTQ-law
Fig 2: Reaction from the LGBTQ community on Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law

The survey also revealed that, out of the total sample, 65.11% considered Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ laws approved by the lawmakers as unjustified. More specifically, 38.13% of the respondents strongly believed that it is highly unjustified, while 26.98% thought it is somewhat unjustified.

The findings show that the respondents are against the death penalty and jail terms for individuals who belong to or would like to associate themselves with the LGBTQ community.

Stance-on-the-death-penalty-and-imprisonment-for-LGBTQ-individuals
Fig 3: Stance on the death penalty and imprisonment for LGBTQ individuals and their associates

How is the World Responding?

Regarding the potential impact of Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law on the global perception of the Ugandan government, survey respondents had varying opinions.

About 13.84% of respondents believed that Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law could harm Uganda’s reputation and infringe on human rights, while 13.68% thought that it would have little effect because it had significant backing from the Ugandan population. Conversely, 13.34% of participants felt that the law could prompt international condemnation and economic sanctions.

Some respondents (12.88%) dismissed the criticisms and claimed that the law was consistent with Ugandan cultural values and would not destabilize the country.

However, 12.84% of respondents expressed concern that Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law could exacerbate discrimination, violence, and hate crimes. Additionally, 10.25% believed that the law might isolate Uganda from the international community, while 9.70% argued that it could deter foreign investment and tourism. The remaining 13.47% cited other impacts.

Moreover, the results indicate the views of participants on how international organizations such as the UN, Human Rights Watch, and All Out can safeguard the rights of LGBTQ individuals in countries like Uganda. Around 21.63% of respondents suggested that advocating for LGBTQ rights in global forums could result in more protection for the community.

Similarly, 21.31% suggested that offering a safe haven to LGBTQ individuals who are fleeing persecution in Uganda would be beneficial.

On the other hand, 15.82% of the participants proposed that international organizations should provide financial support for LGBTQ organizations in Uganda, while 15.07% believed that lobbying the Ugandan government to repeal the law could aid the community. The remaining 26.17% expressed other means to support the LGBTQ community in Uganda.

A portion of the participants anticipate that the new law will impact Uganda’s economy, tourism, and international relations, whereas some do not believe that it will have any negative impact on the global perception of the Ugandan government.

Violating Basic Human Rights or Reinforcing Cultural Values?

The survey further asked people for suggestions on how to increase understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ individuals. The results revealed that 21.64% suggested awareness campaigns about LGBTQ issues, while 21.61% believed that providing legal and other support to LGBTQ individuals facing discrimination would be effective.

Around 16.51% of the respondents believed that positive media representation of LGBTQ individuals would help, and 13.24% suggested supporting LGBTQ organizations and events. However, 27% of the participants remained undecided.

These findings indicate that people worldwide recognize the need for individuals to take action and promote awareness about the LGBTQ community to improve their acceptance and understanding in society, particularly in light of the controversy surrounding Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law.

Methodology

 
Survey TitlePublic Opinion on Uganda’s Anti-LGBTQ Law
DurationMarch 30 – April 4, 2023
Number of Participants10,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.